Filed Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case challenged the creation and operation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on January 20, 2025 by a collection of nonprofit organizations. They sued the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE). The case was originally assigned to Judge Amy Berman Jackson but on January 28, 2025, was reassigned to Judge Jia M. Cobb because she was presiding over a similar case, Public Citizen v. Trump.
Represented by Democracy Forward and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, the plaintiffs argued that DOGE was established by President Trump not as a formal part of the government, but rather to provide advice and guidance from outside of government to the White House. Therefore, FACA applies—but has not been followed. Among the alleged FACA violations: failure to ensure DOGE had a clearly defined purpose, failure to ensure a balanced membership in terms of viewpoints represented, a lack of provisions to assure that advice and recommendations of the committee will be the result of the committee’s independent judgment, and failure to file a charter for DOGE. Additionally, plaintiffs argued that DOGE’s operational secrecy–for example, their failure to make their records publicly available—violated FACA.
The complaint asked the court to set aside all decisions made in connection with the creation of DOGE, enjoin DOGE from conducting business until it operates in compliance with FACA, and compel defendants to release all materials prepared for DOGE or its subcommittees. Additionally, plaintiffs sought to enjoin defendants from relying on any recommendations or advice made by DOGE unless/until it complied with FACA.
On Feb. 18, 2025, this case was consolidated with Public Citizen v. Trump and Lentini v. DOGE -- and all filings going forward are in the Public Citizen case. So this record in the Clearinghouse is now closed and subsequent developments will be documented there.
Summary Authors
Maddie Mitzner (1/28/2025)
Public Citizen, Inc. v. Trump, District of District of Columbia (2025)
Lentini v. Department of Government Efficiency, District of District of Columbia (2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69559460/parties/american-public-health-association-v-office-of-management-and-budget/
Jackson, Amy Berman (District of Columbia)
George, Aman Tewari (District of Columbia)
Deffebach, Anna Lynn (District of Columbia)
Humphreys, Bradley P. (District of Columbia)
Attorney, Katelyn Kang,
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69559460/american-public-health-association-v-office-of-management-and-budget/
Last updated April 21, 2025, 4:35 p.m.
State / Territory: District of Columbia
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Appointments/Civil Service)
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (DOGE Status/Information Access)
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Non-profit organizations, including the American Public Health Association, the American Federation of Teachers, Minority Veterans of America, VoteVets Action Fund, Center for Auto Safety, Inc. and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Office of Management and Budget (District of Columbia), Federal
Department of Government Efficiency (District of Columbia), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority: