Politics

A federal judge said Friday she plans to appoint a special master to investigate whether Justice and Interior Department officials misled the court about the Trump administration's plans to renovate a D.C. golf course, according to news reports . Why it matters: The investigation could lead to professional sanctions, contempt proceedings or criminal referrals against administration officials over allegations government lawyers misled the judge. Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes opened a hearing Friday by reading ethics rules requiring attorneys to be truthful with courts, then questioned Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. about the administration's conflicting accounts, according to news reports. Trump announced Oct. 18 the golf course would close Nov. 15 for roughly 15 months of renovations. Woodward told the court the next day there was "no plan to close the course." On Oct. 28, the Justice Department acknowledged Trump had directed the closure. Catch up quick: A preservation group and two golfers are suing the administration over what they say is President Trump's illegal plan to convert the historic, public East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-level golf course. After government crews cut down more than 400 trees, Reyes barred further tree removal without court approval and required 10 business days' notice before closing the park or making irreversible changes. The administration has appealed. What they're saying: "The Department of Justice will not be deterred from executing on the President's agenda," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The White House and DOI didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. What's next: Reyes said she intends to appoint a special master who could review documents, question witnesses under oath and hold hearings. The government would have five business days to object after a special master is selected, the Washington Post reported . This is a breaking news story and will be

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Welcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

President Trump campaigns for Republicans in deep red Florida; Alaska Senate race intensifies amid DOJ probe into Dan Sullivan case.

The Republican sued more than 700 patients during his former career as a physician. The suit accuses him of charging illegally high interest rates.

A federal judge overseeing a legal fight over President Donald Trump’s plans to remake Washington, D.C.’s East Potomac Golf Links said Friday she would investigate whether administration officials misled the court and violated professional ethics rules during the proceedings. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said the inquiry would examine whether Interior Department officials, government attorneys, […]

A federal appeals court on Friday rejected the Justice Department’s emergency bid to force California to set aside mail-in ballots associated with roughly 20,000 suspected noncitizens, opening a potential path to the Supreme Court days before the midterm elections. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to deny an injunction requiring officials to […]

The administration has alleged California sent ballots to some 20,000 people who may not be U.S. citizens. It wants the state to set those ballots aside and not count them until citizenship can be verified.

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