Case: National Treasury Employees Union v. Vought

1:25-cv-00380 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Feb. 9, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenged the alleged unlawful disclosure of federal employee information by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to operatives affiliated with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). On February 9, 2025, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Russell Vought in his official capacity as Acting Director of CFPB. NTEU was represented by in-house union counsel. The case was assigned to Jud…

The case was assigned to Judge Richard J. Leon.

According to the complaint, President Trump signed Executive Order 14158 on January 20, 2025, creating DOGE and directing federal agencies to provide its personnel—including so-called “special government employees”—with access to government systems, records, and software. NTEU alleged that beginning February 7, 2025, CFPB complied with the order and granted DOGE personnel, including Elon Musk and three other individuals, access to employee systems and internal databases. These systems allegedly contained sensitive employee information, including personally identifiable information (PII), health records, internal communications, calendar data, and records of union activity.

NTEU alleged that such disclosures violated the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a), as well as CFPB’s own regulations codified at 12 C.F.R. Part 1070. The union asserted that no applicable exception to the Privacy Act permitted these disclosures. In particular, DOGE personnel were not “officers or employees” of CFPB, and the routine-use exception did not authorize such broad access. NTEU also claimed that the disclosures contravened the Consumer Financial Protection Act and the Trade Secrets Act. It sought declaratory and injunctive relief barring any further disclosure of employee data to DOGE personnel.

On July 21, the government moved to dismiss the case under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6), arguing that NTEU lacked standing and failed to state a claim. The government contended that the union’s claims were speculative and failed to identify a concrete injury traceable to the challenged conduct.

The motion remained pending as of late July 2025.

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Summary Authors

Karma Karira (2/25/2025)

Brian Chen (8/4/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69624412/parties/national-treasury-employees-union-v-vought/

Judge(s)

Leon, Richard J. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Dunn, Lindsay (District of Columbia)

Giles, Allison Conrey (District of Columbia)

Shah, Paras N. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Holt, Samuel (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Leon, Richard J. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Dunn, Lindsay (District of Columbia)

Giles, Allison Conrey (District of Columbia)

Shah, Paras N. (District of Columbia)

Wilson, Julie M. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Holt, Samuel (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:25-cv-00380	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	Feb. 9, 2025	Feb. 9, 2025 Complaint
11 1:25-cv-00380	Defendant's Motion to Dismiss	July 21, 2025	July 21, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14158 - Establishing and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" President Donald Trump	Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President's DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.	Jan. 20, 2025	Jan. 20, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69624412/national-treasury-employees-union-v-vought/

Last updated Sept. 24, 2025, 3:43 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11467128) filed by NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons)(Wilson, Julie) (Entered: 02/09/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER 3 Summons View on PACER 4 Summons View on PACER	Feb. 9, 2025	Feb. 9, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION (Wilson, Julie) (Entered: 02/09/2025)	Feb. 9, 2025	Feb. 9, 2025 PACER
	Notice of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status	Feb. 9, 2025	Feb. 9, 2025 PACER
	NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 2 LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION (Wilson, Julie).Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 2/16/2025. (zhcn)	Feb. 9, 2025	Feb. 9, 2025 PACER
	RESOLVED.....NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 2 LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION (Wilson, Julie).Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 2/16/2025. (zhcn) Modified on 2/11/2025 (zsl).	Feb. 9, 2025	Feb. 9, 2025 PACER
3	NOTICE of Appearance by Allison Conrey Giles on behalf of NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION (Giles, Allison) (Entered: 02/10/2025)	Feb. 10, 2025	Feb. 10, 2025 PACER
4	NOTICE of Appearance by Paras N. Shah on behalf of NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION (Shah, Paras) (Entered: 02/10/2025)	Feb. 10, 2025	Feb. 10, 2025 PACER
	Notice of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status	Feb. 10, 2025	Feb. 10, 2025 PACER
	Case Assigned to Judge Richard J. Leon. (zsl)	Feb. 11, 2025	Feb. 11, 2025 PACER
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	Feb. 11, 2025	Feb. 11, 2025 PACER
5	SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to RUSSELL VOUGHT, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zsl) (Entered: 02/12/2025) 1 Notice and Consent View on PACER	Feb. 12, 2025	Feb. 12, 2025 RECAP
6	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 5/7/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 7/6/2025. (Giles, Allison) (Entered: 05/07/2025)	May 7, 2025	May 7, 2025 RECAP
7	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General May 6, 2025. (Giles, Allison) (Entered: 05/12/2025)	May 12, 2025	May 12, 2025 PACER
8	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. RUSSELL VOUGHT served on 5/5/2025 (Giles, Allison) (Entered: 05/12/2025)	May 12, 2025	May 12, 2025 PACER
10	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond to the Complaint by RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Holt, Samuel) (Entered: 06/30/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2025 RECAP
9	NOTICE of Appearance by Samuel Holt on behalf of RUSSELL VOUGHT (Holt, Samuel) (Entered: 06/30/2025)	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines	July 1, 2025	July 1, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of defendant's 10 Consent Motion to Extend Deadline to Respond to the Complaint, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. Defendant shall have until July 21, 2025, to respond to the complaint. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 7/1/2025. (lcrjl3)	July 1, 2025	July 1, 2025 PACER
11	MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and for Failure to State a Claim by RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Holt, Samuel) (Entered: 07/21/2025)	July 21, 2025	July 21, 2025 RECAP
12	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 11 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and for Failure to State a Claim by NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Wilson, Julie) (Entered: 07/31/2025)	July 31, 2025	July 31, 2025 RECAP
13	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Lindsay Dunn, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11858918. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Giles, Allison) (Entered: 08/01/2025)	Aug. 1, 2025	Aug. 1, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Aug. 4, 2025	Aug. 4, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply AND Set/Reset Deadlines	Aug. 4, 2025	Aug. 4, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of plaintiff's 12 Consent Motion for Extension of Time, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. Accordingly, plaintiff shall have until August 11, 2025, to respond to defendant's Motion to Dismiss. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 8/4/2025. (lcrjl3)	Aug. 4, 2025	Aug. 4, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER granting 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. It is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED and that Lindsay Dunn is hereby admitted pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 8/4/2025. (lcrjl3) Modified text to correct attorney name on 8/4/2025 (zljn).	Aug. 4, 2025	Aug. 4, 2025 PACER
14	NOTICE of Appearance by Lindsay Dunn on behalf of NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION (Dunn, Lindsay) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 PACER
15	Joint MOTION for Briefing Schedule by NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Dunn, Lindsay) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 RECAP
16	AMENDED COMPLAINT against RUSSELL VOUGHT filed by NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION.(Dunn, Lindsay) (Entered: 08/11/2025)	Aug. 11, 2025	Aug. 11, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion for Briefing Schedule AND Set/Reset Deadlines	Aug. 13, 2025	Aug. 13, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 15 Joint Motion for Proposed Briefing Schedule, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties' proposal is GRANTED. Accordingly, defendant's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint shall be due September 25, 2025; plaintiff's opposition shall be due November 24, 2025; and defendant's reply shall be due December 8, 2025. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 8/13/2025. (lcrjl3)	Aug. 13, 2025	Aug. 13, 2025 PACER
	Set/Reset Deadlines	Aug. 14, 2025	Aug. 14, 2025 PACER
17	Notice of Voluntary Dismissal	Sept. 19, 2025	Sept. 19, 2025 RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

DOGE Status/Information Access

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 9, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiff National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) is a labor union that represents federal government employees in 37 agencies and departments in grievances and litigation

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

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (- United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action: