Case: Japanese American Citizens League v. Musk

1:25-cv-00643 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: March 5, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenges the actions of Elon Musk and the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) in allegedly overstepping their authority by cutting federal spending, terminating employees, and dismantling government agencies. On March 5, 2025, the Japanese American Citizens League, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates, Sierra Club, and Union of Concerned Scientists filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs, described as nonprofit membership organizations dedicated to various aspects of American well-being, sued Elon Musk, in his official capacity as U.S. DOGE Service and Senior Advisor; U.S. DOGE Service; the Office of Personnel Management; the U.S. Department of Education; the National Park Service; the U.S. Forest Service; the Bureau of Land Management; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the U.S. Department of Commerce; the U.S. Department of Interior; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the National Institutes of Health; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; the Environmental Protection Agency; the National Science Foundation; the United States Department of Agriculture; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The case was assigned to Judge Tanya S. Chutkan.

Represented by counsel from Campaign Legal Center and the Sierra Club Environmental Law Program, the plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief. They claimed that the actions of Elon Musk and DOGE were ultra vires (beyond legal authority) and violated the separation of powers and the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit also alleged that the agency defendants acted arbitrarily, capriciously, and contrary to law and the Constitution under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by following the directives of Musk and DOGE.

The plaintiff’s complaint detailed factual allegations supporting their claims. These allegations described President Trump announcing the creation of DOGE in November 2024 and subsequent executive orders related to DOGE, asserting that these orders did not provide legal authority for DOGE's actions. The plaintiffs alleged that DOGE, under the de facto leadership of Elon Musk, expanded beyond its initial technological mandate to “transform” federal spending, engage in “zero-based budgeting,” and terminate federal grants and contracts based on policy priorities. The complaint further described DOGE's alleged efforts to stop federal disbursements, terminate federal workers, and dismantle federal agencies like USAID and the Department of Education. The plaintiffs argued that these actions encroached upon the constitutional authority of Congress over federal spending and the establishment of government departments. The complaint also asserted that Elon Musk, acting as a principal officer without Senate confirmation, violated the Appointments Clause.

The plaintiffs presented specific harms they and their members allegedly suffered due to Musk and DOGE's actions. The Japanese American Citizens League claimed harm from cuts to the National Park Service affecting historic sites of Japanese American incarceration and from potential cuts to Department of Education programs impacting their members' access to financial aid and educational resources. OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates also cited potential harm to their members from education funding cuts. The Sierra Club alleged harm due to staffing and funding reductions at the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, which impacted their members' ability to enjoy and protect public lands. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) claimed harm to their members, who rely on federal scientific research and data, from budget cuts and personnel changes at agencies like NOAA, NSF, NIH, EPA, and USDA.

On March 18, 2025, both parties filed a joint status report discussing their views on the Court consolidating this case with New Mexico et al. v. Musk et al (2025) in light of the common issues of fact and law. After considering this report, on March 20th, Judge Chutkan ordered that the two cases be consolidated. All pleadings will be filed only in New Mexico et al. v. Musk et al (25-cv-429), the lead case.

Summary Authors

Aanvi Jhaveri (5/4/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69706944/parties/japanese-american-citizens-league-v-musk/

Judge(s)

Chutkan, Tanya Sue (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Appel, Rachel (District of Columbia)

Lenz, Daniel Spector (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Gardner, Joshua Edward (District of Columbia)

Lynch, Christopher M. (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Chutkan, Tanya Sue (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Appel, Rachel (District of Columbia)

Lenz, Daniel Spector (District of Columbia)

Narayan, Sanjay (District of Columbia)

Spiva, Bruce Van (District of Columbia)

Szilagyi, Heather (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Gardner, Joshua Edward (District of Columbia)

Lynch, Christopher M. (District of Columbia)

Wen, James (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:25-cv-00643	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	March 5, 2025	March 5, 2025 Complaint
47 1:25-cv-00643	Joint Status Report	March 18, 2025	March 18, 2025 Monitor/Expert/Receiver Report

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14219 - Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative President Donald Trump	Directing Agency heads, in coordination with DOGE and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to review all regulations subject to their sole or joint jurisdiction for consistency with t…	Feb. 19, 2025	Feb. 19, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...
EO 14210 - Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization Initiative President Donald Trump	Requiring that each federal agency head hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart, except in functions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement;…	Feb. 11, 2025	Feb. 11, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...
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/69706944/japanese-american-citizens-league-v-musk/

Last updated Aug. 21, 2026, 4:50 a.m.

Docket for: JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE v. MUSK

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	March 5, 2025	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11521604) filed by OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Spiva, Bruce) (Attachment 1 replaced on 3/5/2025) (znmw). (Entered: 03/05/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	March 5, 2025	NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS. Case related to Case No. 1:25-cv-00429-TSC. (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/05/2025)	RECAP
3	March 5, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Heather Szilagyi on behalf of JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS (Szilagyi, Heather) (Entered: 03/05/2025)	RECAP
4	March 5, 2025	SUMMONS (37) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmw) (Entered: 03/05/2025) 1 Notice and Consent View on PACER	RECAP
	March 5, 2025	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	March 5, 2025	Case Assigned to Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. (znmw)
5	March 6, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Rachel Appel on behalf of JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS (Appel, Rachel) (Entered: 03/06/2025)	RECAP
6	March 6, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Daniel S. Lenz, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11524213. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/06/2025) 1 Declaration View on PACER 2 Certificate of Good Standing View on PACER	RECAP
7	March 7, 2025	REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE Linda Mcmahon, in her official capacity, Secretary of Education filed by OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS.(Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/07/2025)	RECAP
8	March 7, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel Spector Lenz on behalf of JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS (Lenz, Daniel) (Entered: 03/07/2025)	RECAP
	March 7, 2025	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	March 7, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: The 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice is GRANTED. Daniel S. Lenz is hereby admitted pro hac vice to represent Plaintiffs in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 3/7/2025. (lcdh)
9	March 10, 2025	SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to LINDA MCMAHON. (znmw) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	RECAP
10	March 10, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/7/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 5/6/2025. (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	RECAP
11	March 10, 2025	MOTION for Discovery (Expedited Discovery) by JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Ex. A - First Set of Written Discovery and Deposition Topics, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/10/2025) 1 Exhibit Ex. A - First Set of Written Discovery and Deposition Topics View on RECAP 2 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
12	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 03/10/2025. (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
13	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. BROOKE ROLLINS served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
14	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. CAMERON HAMILTON served on 3/8/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
15	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. CHARLES EZELL served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
16	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. CHRISTOPHER D. CARROLL served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
17	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. DOUG BURGUM served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
18	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY served on 3/8/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
19	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. HOWARD LUTNICK served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
20	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. JESSICA BOWRON served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
21	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. JON RABY served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
22	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. LEE M. ZELDIN served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
23	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. LINDA MCMAHON served on 3/11/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
24	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
25	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
26	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. SCOTT TURNER served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
27	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. SETHURAMAN PANCHANATHAN served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
28	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
29	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. TOM SCHULTZ served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
30	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
31	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
32	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
33	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
34	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
35	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY served on 3/11/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
36	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
37	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
38	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
39	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
40	March 11, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. NANCY HANN served on 3/10/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	RECAP
	March 11, 2025	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	March 11, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: In light of Plaintiffs' 11 Motion for Expedited Discovery, the court sets the following briefing schedule: Defendants' response is due by Monday, March 17, 2025; Plaintiffs' reply is due by Friday, March 21, 2025. Signed by Tanya S. Chutkan on 3/11/2025. (lcdh)
41	March 12, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT served on 3/12/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/12/2025)	RECAP
42	March 13, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. ELON MUSK served on 3/13/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/13/2025)	RECAP
43	March 13, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. AMY GLEASON served on 3/13/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/13/2025)	RECAP
44	March 13, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DOGE SERVICE served on 3/13/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/13/2025)	RECAP
45	March 13, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. FOREST SERVICE served on 3/13/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/13/2025)	RECAP
	March 17, 2025	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	March 17, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the common issues of law and fact, the court is considering consolidating this action and New Mexico et al. v. Musk et al., No. 25-cv-429, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(a). By 5:00 PM tomorrow, March 18, 2025, the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report providing (1) their positions on consolidation and (2) the effect of consolidation on existing deadlines and further proceedings. The joint status report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. In light of possible consolidation, it is further ORDERED that the deadline for Defendants' response to Plaintiffs' 11 Motion for Expedited Discovery is extended to March 19, 2025, unless otherwise modified by court order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 3/17/2025. (lccc)
46	March 18, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Edward Gardner on behalf of All Defendants (Gardner, Joshua) (Entered: 03/18/2025)	RECAP
47	March 18, 2025	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, LINDA MCMAHON, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, JESSICA BOWRON, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, TOM SCHULTZ, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, JON RABY, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, NANCY HANN, JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, HOWARD LUTNICK, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, DOUG BURGUM, U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, MATTHEW J. MEMOLI, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, CHRISTOPHER D. CARROLL, OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, LEE M. ZELDIN, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, SETHURAMAN PANCHANATHAN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BROOKE ROLLINS, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, CAMERON HAMILTON, U.S DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, SCOTT TURNER, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS, ELON MUSK, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, AMY GLEASON, U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, CHARLES EZELL. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order Plaintiffs Proposed Order, # 2 Text of Proposed Order Defendants Proposed Order)(Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/18/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order Plaintiffs Proposed Order View on RECAP 2 Text of Proposed Order Defendants Proposed Order View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
48	March 19, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by James Wen on behalf of All Defendants (Wen, James) (Entered: 03/19/2025)	RECAP
49	March 19, 2025	Memorandum in opposition to re 11 Motion for Discovery, filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, LINDA MCMAHON, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, JESSICA BOWRON, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, TOM SCHULTZ, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, JON RABY, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, NANCY HANN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, HOWARD LUTNICK, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, DOUG BURGUM, U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, MATTHEW J. MEMOLI, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, CHRISTOPHER D. CARROLL, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, LEE M. ZELDIN, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, SETHURAMAN PANCHANATHAN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BROOKE ROLLINS, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, CAMERON HAMILTON, U.S DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, SCOTT TURNER, ELON MUSK, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, AMY GLEASON, U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, CHARLES EZELL. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Wen, James) (Entered: 03/19/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
50	March 20, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher M. Lynch on behalf of All Defendants (Lynch, Christopher) (Entered: 03/20/2025)	RECAP
	March 20, 2025	.Order
	March 20, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 47 Joint Status Report, the court will consolidate cases 25-cv-429 and 25-cv-643, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(a). All filings and papers related to the consolidated cases shall be filed in the lead case: 25-cv-429. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall NOT "spread the text" when filing documents in the lead cases. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 3/20/2025. (lccc)
	March 20, 2025	Cases Consolidated. This case has been consolidated with case 25-cv-00429-TSC pursuant to 03/20/2025 Minute Order. From this date forward, all pleadings shall be filed ONLY in the lead case, 25-cv-00429-TSC. Parties are advised NOT to elect the SPREAD TEXT option when filing in ECF, as this will result in repetitive docketing. (zjm)
	March 21, 2025	Create Case Association
51	March 24, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Sanjay Narayan on behalf of SIERRA CLUB (Narayan, Sanjay) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	RECAP
52	March 31, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH served on 3/24/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/31/2025)	RECAP
53	March 31, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. MATTHEW J. MEMOLI served on 3/24/2025 (Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 03/31/2025)	RECAP
54	May 8, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to (90 in 1:25-cv-00429-TSC) MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE, OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES, SIERRA CLUB, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS. Associated Cases: 1:25-cv-00429-TSC, 1:25-cv-00643-TSC(Spiva, Bruce) (Entered: 05/08/2025)	RECAP
	May 12, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
	May 12, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: GRANTING 54 Consent Motion for Extension of Time. Plaintiffs' response to Defendants' 90 Motion to Dismiss is due by May 28, 2025. Defendants' reply is due by June 12, 2025. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 5/12/2025. (zcll)
	March 23, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: For the reasons explained in the Memorandum Opinion docketed as ECF No. 119 on Case No. 25-cv-429, Plaintiffs' 11 Motion for Expedited Discovery is DENIED without prejudice. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 3/23/2026. (lcjb)
	March 23, 2026	Order on Motion for Discovery
55	May 5, 2026	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to ELON R. MUSK, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE TEMPORARY SERVICE ORGANIZATION. Attorney Garry Daniel Hartlieb terminated. Associated Cases: 1:25-cv-00429-TSC, 1:25-cv-00643-TSC(Hartlieb, Garry) (Entered: 05/05/2026)	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: March 5, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The Japanese American Citizens League, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates, Sierra Club, and Union of Concerned Scientists. These are described as nonprofit membership organizations dedicated to various aspects of American well-being.

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

Federal

Bureau of Land Management

Environmental Protection Agency

Federal Emergency Management Agency

National Institutes of Health

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Park Service

National Science Foundation

Office of Personnel Management

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

U.S. Department of Interior

U.S. DOGE Service

U.S. Forest Service

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Appointments Clause

Separation of Powers

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-00643

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Discharge & termination plans

Environmental Justice and Resources:

Threatened/endangered fauna

Threatened/endangered flora

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Appointment Authority

Civil Service

DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)

Impoundment (mandatory spending)

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Japanese American Citizens League v. Musk, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46197/ (last updated 5/4/2025).

Case: Japanese American Citizens League v. Musk

1:25-cv-00643 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Case Summary

Related Cases

People

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Resources

Docket

Docket for: JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE v. MUSK

Case Details