A federal judge in Washington said Friday the court will investigate whether government attorneys committed ethical violations before the court in the case about the dispute over the East Potomac Golf Course , the public course in Washington, D.C., that President Donald Trump wants to close and renovate.

"The court will open a formal inquiry into whether agency officials and employees, including agency attorneys and [Justice Department] attorneys, have made misrepresentations to the court and otherwise violated applicable ethical rules," Judge Ana Reyes said from the bench. Reyes said she intends to appoint a special master to assist in the inquiry.

A golfer watches as trees are removed at East Potomac Golf Course on Oct.…