Case: Morris v. Trump

1:25-cv-00435 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Feb. 11, 2025

Closed Date: Feb. 12, 2025

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On February 11, 2025, a United States citizen filed this lawsuit, pro se, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, against President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, the "Department of Government Efficiency," the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and its Acting Director, the U.S. General Services Administration and its Acting Administrator, the U.S. Department of Treasury and its Secretary, and the Treasurer of the United States. The Plaintiff sought to enjoin the continued access of…

On February 11, 2025, a United States citizen filed this lawsuit, pro se, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, against President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, the "Department of Government Efficiency," the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and its Acting Director, the U.S. General Services Administration and its Acting Administrator, the U.S. Department of Treasury and its Secretary, and the Treasurer of the United States. The Plaintiff sought to enjoin the continued access of DOGE to sensitive data and declare the creation and actions of DOGE to be in violation of the Privacy Act and the False Claims Act. The case was assigned to District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher, who dismissed it the following day, finding that the plaintiff lacked standing--that is, that she was not personally involved in the claims she made.  The court noted that several other cases had been filed in courts around the country, raising the same issues, and that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York had already issued a temporary restraining order to prohibit DOGE's access to “sensitive and confidential information” and payment systems held at Treasury. "Although this Court cannot proceed in this case because Plaintiff lacks standing, her concerns are being addressed elsewhere." 

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69629658/parties/morris-v-trump/


Judge(s)

Gallagher, Stephanie A. (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Morris, Deborah (Maryland)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-00435

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Sought for Violation of My Constitutional and Civil Rights

Feb. 11, 2025

Feb. 11, 2025

Complaint
5

1:25-cv-00435

Memorandum Opinion

Feb. 12, 2025

Feb. 12, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 475266

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69629658/morris-v-trump/

Last updated April 22, 2025, 7:02 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Scott Bessent, Patricia Collins, Stephen Ehikian, Elon Musk, The U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Oraganization, Donald Trump, U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. General Services Administration, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Matthew J. Vaeth, filed by Deborah Morris. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Attachment, # 3 Summons, # 4 USM 285 Forms) (ols, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/11/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Attachment

View on RECAP

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 USM 285 Forms

View on PACER

Feb. 11, 2025

Feb. 11, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Deborah Morris (ols, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/11/2025)

Feb. 11, 2025

Feb. 11, 2025

PACER
3

Consent to receive notice and service electronically by Deborah Morris. The Court recommends that all documents received electronically be printed or saved for future reference. (ols, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/11/2025)

Feb. 11, 2025

Feb. 11, 2025

PACER
4

New Case Notification Letter emailed to Deborah Morris. (ols, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/11/2025)

Feb. 11, 2025

Feb. 11, 2025

PACER
5

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher on 2/12/2025. (ols, Deputy Clerk)

Feb. 12, 2025

Feb. 12, 2025

RECAP
6

ORDER denying 2 Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis; denying 1 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order; dismissing 1 complaint without prejudice; directing the Clerk to close the case. Signed by Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher on 2/12/2025. (ols, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/12/2025)

Feb. 12, 2025

Feb. 12, 2025

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

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 (DOGE Status/Information Access)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 11, 2025

Closing Date: Feb. 12, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Pro se U.S. citizen

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States, Federal

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Non-settlement Outcome

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Access to information systems

DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)