Case: State of New York v. McMahon

1:25-cv-10601 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: March 13, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case, brought by 21 states, challenged the Trump administration's directive to dismantle the Department of Education through a massive "reduction in force." The immediate catalyst for this lawsuit was the Department of Education’s announcement on March 11, 2025, of a near-50% workforce reduction, seen by the plaintiff states as an unlawful attempt to incapacitate the agency and its statutorily mandated functions. The Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, herself stated that these workforc…

This case, brought by 21 states, challenged the Trump administration's directive to dismantle the Department of Education through a massive "reduction in force." The immediate catalyst for this lawsuit was the Department of Education’s announcement on March 11, 2025, of a near-50% workforce reduction, seen by the plaintiff states as an unlawful attempt to incapacitate the agency and its statutorily mandated functions. The Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, herself stated that these workforce reductions were the “first step” on the road to a “total shutdown” of the Department, characterizing this as eliminating “bureaucratic bloat.”

In response, on March 13, 2025, 21 states filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the U.S. Department of Education and President Trump. The states were represented by their respective Attorneys General. They sought declaratory and injunctive relief, arguing that these actions violate the constitutional separation of powers doctrine and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Specifically, the states claimed that the Executive branch was overstepping its authority by attempting to dismantle a congressionally created agency and failing to faithfully execute the laws. They also asserted that the Department of Education's actions were outside the scope of its statutory authority and were arbitrary and capricious, violating the APA. The remedies requested included a court declaration that the defendants’ actions were unlawful, an order vacating the implementation of the directive, and a preliminary and permanent injunction preventing the dismantling of the Department of Education. This case was assigned to Judge Myong J. Joun. 

Following the initial complaint, on March 21, 2025, the plaintiff states filed a Motion for Leave to Submit Pseudonymous Declarations. In this motion, they requested permission for current and former employees of the Department of Education to file declarations under pseudonyms, claiming that the declarants feared potential negative repercussions if their names were publicly revealed. The Court granted this motion, explaining that “the Doe Declarants’ fears of retribution and retaliation in this context is reasonable.” 2025 WL 1478387. 

On March 24, 2025, the states filed a Motion for a Preliminary Injunction. They contended that they would suffer irreparable harm without injunctive relief and that the balance of equities and public interest favored granting the injunction. On April 23, 2025, nearly 200 members of Congress filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiff state's motion arguing that the government's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education "contravenes Congress's express directives." A hearing on this motion was held on April 25.

The court ruled in the plaintiffs' favor on May 22, entering a preliminary injunction for the pendency of the litigation.  It enjoined the reduction in force and the transfer of management of federal student loans and special education functions out of the Department. The court's order required the administration to reinstate federal employees whose employment was terminated as part of the reduction in force, and to "restore the Department to the status quo such that it is able to carry out its statutory functions." 2025 WL 1463009. 

On May 22, after the court issued the preliminary injunction, the defendants appealed to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. The defendants requested an immediate administrative stay and a stay pending appeal. The defendants argued that the district court's ruling was based on speculation that the Department would be unable to fulfill its duties, rather than on a verified failure to do so. The defendants also contested the district court's jurisdiction, arguing that in the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA), Congress required terminated employees to bring challenges before the Merit Systems Protection Board, with judicial review in the Federal Circuit. Finally, the defendants contested the merits of the district court's decision, arguing that the administration was not seeking to close the Department as found by the district court, but rather to reduce inefficiency "to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law." "It violates neither the Constitution nor any other law for the government to endeavor to operate as efficiently as possible or to implement judgments about staffing levels needed to carry out any statutory mandates." Therefore, the defendants argued that the district court erred in requiring the current administration to "freeze the Department in the form a prior administration considered appropriate." 

On May 27, the Court of Appeals denied the defendants' motion for an immediate administrative stay. The court found that the defendants had not demonstrated a need for an immediate stay; however, the court said that it intended to rule promptly on the request for a stay pending appeal. 2025 WL 1503501. 

Back in the district court, the defendants also filed a motion to stay the preliminary injunction on May 22. On May 23, Judge Joun denied the motion. He found that, given the court's analysis in the order granting the preliminary injunction, the defendants would not suffer irreparable harm by maintaining the status quo, while staying the preliminary injunction would cause serious harm to the plaintiffs. Therefore, he denied the defendants' motion. 2025 WL 1478007. 

On June 4, 2025, the Court of Appeals denied the defendants' motion for a stay pending appeal. Looking first at whether the defendants had made a strong showing that they would prevail on the merits, the court found "no basis on which to conclude that the appellants have made a 'strong showing' that the District Court likely clearly erred in finding that the RIF made it effectively impossible for the Department to carry out its statutory obligations." The court also rejected the defendants' argument that the district court lacked jurisdiction because of the CSRA, since the court was "loath to attribute to Congress" the defendants' view that Congress "intended to bar every challenge to an unlawful effort by the Executive to shut down a statutorily created agency by summarily firing its employees en masse" through enactment of the CSRA. Therefore, the Court of Appeals found that the defendants had not made a strong showing that they would succeed on their argument that the plaintiffs lacked standing.

Looking at the merits, the court also held that the defendants had failed to make a "strong showing" of success, since their contentions "merely favorably characterize[d] the actions found to have been contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious" rather than explaining why the district court's ruling was erroneous. Finally, the court found that the RIF in this case sufficiently constituted a final agency action to support an action under the APA. 

Turning to other concerns, the court also said that the defendants had failed to show that they would suffer an irreparable injury "by being required to carry out Congress's duly enacted statutes," or that the "public's interest lies in permitting a major federal department to be unlawfully disabled from performing its statutorily assigned functions." Therefore, the court denied the motion for a stay of the district court's injunction. 2025 WL 1576570. 

On June 6, the government went to the Supreme Court asking for a stay of the district court's injunction for the duration of the litigation while the government appeals to the First Circuit and possibly the Supreme Court. In its application, the government argued that it was likely to succeed on the merits because the plaintiffs lacked standing, asserting that the district court "accepted a standing theory rife with speculation" about whether the Department would be able to fulfill its duties. The government also argued that the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the dispute, since, while the district court admitted more limited reductions in force would have to be brought before the MSPB, it found that more massive terminations granted it jurisdiction. Finally, the government argued that the district court lacked authority to order reinstatement as a remedy. 

The government also told the Court that the case warranted its intervention because of the irreparable harm the Executive Branch would suffer if it were required to reinstate the employees. The government requested a stay of the district court's injunction and an immediate administrative stay pending the Court's decision on its request for a stay. Briefing in the Supreme Court on the motion has concluded, so a decision could come at any time. 

The Supreme Court granted the government's request on July 14, staying the district court's preliminary injunction pending the resolution of the government's appeal in the First Circuit and any possible appeal to the Supreme Court. The Court did not explain its reasoning, but the decision came over the noted dissents of Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson, who argued that "[w]hen the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciary’s duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it."

The district court also consolidated this case with Somerville Public Schools v. Trump and ordered this case to be the main one--further developments are located here. 

The case is ongoing. 

Summary Authors

Aanvi Jhaveri (3/25/2025)

Clearinghouse (5/22/2025)

Jeremiah Price (6/3/2025)

Related Cases

Somerville Public Schools v. Trump, District of Massachusetts (2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69732750/parties/state-of-new-york-v-mcmahon/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Bardwell, Will (Massachusetts)

Bull, Gina (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Bruns, Michael Benjamin (Massachusetts)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Abelson, Dana A. (Massachusetts)

Berman, Steve W. (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bardwell, Will (Massachusetts)

Bull, Gina (Massachusetts)

Carpenter, Caitlyn Babington (Massachusetts)

Chin, Elleanor H. (Massachusetts)

Choi, Lucia (Massachusetts)

Coates, Spencer Wade (Massachusetts)

Crawford, Haleigh (Massachusetts)

Day, David Dana (Massachusetts)

Dirks, Katherine B. (Massachusetts)

Ehler, Karyn L. (Massachusetts)

Fernandes, Kalikoonalani Diara (Massachusetts)

Flynn, Elizabeth C. (Massachusetts)

Garrett, Clinten N. (Massachusetts)

Gibson, Charlotte (Massachusetts)

Giovanatti, Neil (Massachusetts)

Goldstein, Elena (Massachusetts)

Gradowski, Kathryn (Massachusetts)

Grieco, Matthew William (Massachusetts)

Halloran, Kathleen Ann (Massachusetts)

Homer, Rachel F. (Massachusetts)

Hunger, Sarah A. (Massachusetts)

Hyman, Nathaniel J. (Massachusetts)

Jamieson, Keith (Massachusetts)

Kassab, Vanessa L. (Massachusetts)

Koch, Robert A. (Massachusetts)

Kooragayala, Shiva (Massachusetts)

Kramer, Elizabeth C. (Massachusetts)

Liston, Ian R. (Massachusetts)

Lumelsky, Anna E. (Massachusetts)

Magenis, Sean D. (Massachusetts)

Mendrala, Andrew Charles (Massachusetts)

Morejon, Amanda I. (Massachusetts)

Moskowitz, David (Massachusetts)

Muqaddam, Rabia (Massachusetts)

Murdukhayeva, Ester (Massachusetts)

Newman, Michael Louis (Massachusetts)

Nugent, Victoria S. (Massachusetts)

Palmer, Jessica L (Massachusetts)

Perwez, Adnan (Massachusetts)

Rayner, Ewan Christopher (Massachusetts)

Reyes, Natasha Adriana (Massachusetts)

Richie, Joseph Robert (Massachusetts)

Ring, Patrick (Massachusetts)

Roberts, Katharine Pinckney (Massachusetts)

Roberts, Kathleen M. (Massachusetts)

Rose, Jonathan T (Massachusetts)

Salmon, Leigh (Massachusetts)

Samburg, Mark (Massachusetts)

Schellenberg, Kali J. (Massachusetts)

Sepe, Cristina (Massachusetts)

Shavit, Yael (Massachusetts)

Simon, Andrew (Massachusetts)

Skold, Michael Kenneth (Massachusetts)

Srividya, Panchalam Seshan (Massachusetts)

Stanley, James Edward (Massachusetts)

Stern, Heidi Parry (Massachusetts)

Strawbridge, Patrick (Massachusetts)

Thomas-Jensen, Molly (Massachusetts)

Wolfson, Paul R.Q. (Massachusetts)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-10601

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

Complaint
70

1:25-cv-10601

Memorandum of Law in Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion for a Preliminarily Injunction

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
110

1:25-cv-10601

Brief of Members of Congress as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion For A Preliminary Injunction

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
128

1:25-cv-10601

Memorandum and Order on Consolidated Plaintiffs' Motions for Preliminary Injunction

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 1463009

136

1:25-cv-10601

Order on Defendants’ Motion to Stay

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 1478007

108289655

25-01495

Emergency Motion for Stay Pending Appeal and Immediate Administrative Stay

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
108295196

25-01495

Opinion

Somerville Public Schools v. McMahon

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Order/Opinion

139 F.4th 63

24-A-01203

Application to Stay the Injunction Issued by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and Request for an Immediate Administrative Stay

McMahon v. State of New York

Supreme Court of the United States

June 6, 2025

June 6, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

24-A-01203

On Application for Stay

McMahon v. State of New York

Supreme Court of the United States

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 1922626

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69732750/state-of-new-york-v-mcmahon/

Last updated Sept. 3, 2025, 7:14 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Plaintiffs Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-10889005 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by State of Illinois, State of Maine, State of Maryland, Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Jersey, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of New York, State of Wisconsin, State of Vermont, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, State of Hawaii, State of California, State of Arizona, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Delaware, District of Columbia. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Category Form)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

2 Category Form

View on RECAP

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

Clearinghouse
10

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 8 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Kathleen A. Halloran and Neil Giovanatti. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney.(SP) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
11

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jonathan Rose Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10891183 by State of Vermont. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Rose Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
12

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Karyn L. Bass Ehler and Katharine Roberts Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10891190 by State of Illinois. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Roberts Certificate, # 2 Affidavit Bass Ehler Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine B. Dirks on behalf of COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (Dirks, Katherine) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
3

NOTICE of Appearance by Nathaniel J. Hyman on behalf of COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
4

NOTICE of Appearance by Sean D. Magenis on behalf of State of Maine (Magenis, Sean) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
5

NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth C. Carnes Flynn on behalf of COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (Carnes Flynn, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
6

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge Myong J. Joun assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley. (JAM) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
7

Summons Issued as to Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (SP) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
8

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Neil Giovanatti and Kathleen Halloran Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10890396 by Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Certificate of Neil Giovanatti, # 2 Affidavit Certificate of Kathleen Halloran)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

1 Affidavit Certificate of Neil Giovanatti

View on PACER

2 Affidavit Certificate of Kathleen Halloran

View on PACER

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
9

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Elizabeth Kramer Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10890572 by State of Minnesota. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Certificate of Elizabeth Kramer)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER

Notice of Case Assignment

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

PACER
13

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 9 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Elizabeth Kramer. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
14

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 11 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jonathan Rose. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
15

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 12 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Karyn L. Bass Ehler and Katharine P. Roberts. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
16

NOTICE of Appearance by Jonathan T Rose on behalf of State of Vermont (Rose, Jonathan) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
17

NOTICE of Appearance by Neil Giovanatti on behalf of Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan (Giovanatti, Neil) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
18

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Kathryn T. Gradowski Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10891754 by State of Rhode Island. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Gradowski Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
19

NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth C. Kramer on behalf of State of Minnesota (Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
20

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Patrick Ring Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10891943 by State of Connecticut. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Ring Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
21

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 18 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Kathryn Tucker Gradowski. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
22

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 20 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Patrick Thomas Ring. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
23

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Molly Thomas-Jensen, Gina Bull, and Rabia Muqaddam Filing fee: $ 375, receipt number AMADC-10892091 by State of New York. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Thomas-Jensen Certificate, # 2 Affidavit Bull Certificate, # 3 Affidavit Muqaddam Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
24

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Spencer Coates and Cristina Sepe Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10892104 by State of Washington. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Coates Certificate, # 2 Affidavit Sepe Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
25

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 23 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Rabia Muquaddam, Molly Thomas-Jensen, Gina Bull. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
26

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 24 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Cristina Sepe and Spencer W. Coates. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
27

NOTICE of Appearance by Rabia Muqaddam on behalf of State of New York (Muqaddam, Rabia) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
28

NOTICE of Appearance by Molly Thomas-Jensen on behalf of State of New York (Thomas-Jensen, Molly) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
29

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of David Day, Kaliko Fernandes, and Ewan Rayner Filing fee: $ 375, receipt number AMADC-10893221 by State of Hawaii. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Day Certificate, # 2 Affidavit Fernandes Certificate, # 3 Affidavit Rayner Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
30

NOTICE of Appearance by Spencer Wade Coates on behalf of State of Washington (Coates, Spencer) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
31

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 29 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ewan C. Rayner, Kalikoonlani D. Fernandes, and David D. Day. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
32

NOTICE of Appearance by Karyn L. Bass Ehler on behalf of State of Illinois (Bass Ehler, Karyn) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
33

NOTICE of Appearance by Katharine Pinckney Roberts on behalf of State of Illinois (Roberts, Katharine) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
34

NOTICE of Appearance by Cristina Sepe on behalf of State of Washington (Sepe, Cristina) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
35

AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE Executed by State of Maine, State of Vermont, State of Connecticut, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, State of Oregon, State of New York, State of Rhode Island, Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan, State of New Jersey, State of Colorado, State of Hawaii, District of Columbia, State of Maryland, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of Wisconsin, State of Delaware, State of California, State of Illinois, State of Washington, State of Arizona. All Defendants. Acknowledgement filed by State of Maine, State of Vermont, State of Connecticut, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, State of Oregon, State of New York, State of Rhode Island, Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan, State of New Jersey, State of Colorado, State of Hawaii, District of Columbia, State of Maryland, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of Wisconsin, State of Delaware, State of California, State of Illinois, State of Washington, State of Arizona. (Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

RECAP
36

NOTICE of Appearance by Kathleen Ann Halloran on behalf of Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan (Halloran, Kathleen) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
37

NOTICE of Appearance by Kalikoonalani Diara Fernandes on behalf of State of Hawaii (Fernandes, Kalikoonalani) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
38

NOTICE of Appearance by David Dana Day on behalf of State of Hawaii (Day, David) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
39

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of David Moskowitz Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10896713 by State of Colorado. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Moskowitz Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
40

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Clinten N. Garrett Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10896723 by State of Arizona. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Garrett Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
41

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Elleanor H. Chin by State of Oregon. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Chin Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
42

NOTICE of Appearance by Amanda I. Morejon on behalf of State of New Jersey (Morejon, Amanda) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025

PACER
43

NOTICE of Appearance by Kathryn Gradowski on behalf of State of Rhode Island (Gradowski, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/18/2025)

March 18, 2025

March 18, 2025

PACER
44

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Heidi Parry Stern Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10898511 by State of Nevada. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Stern Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/18/2025)

March 18, 2025

March 18, 2025

PACER
45

NOTICE of Appearance by Ewan Christopher Rayner on behalf of State of Hawaii (Rayner, Ewan) (Entered: 03/18/2025)

March 18, 2025

March 18, 2025

RECAP
46

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Keith Jamieson by State of Maryland. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Jamieson Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/18/2025)

March 18, 2025

March 18, 2025

PACER
47

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Andrew Mendrala Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10899117 by District of Columbia. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Mendrala Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/18/2025)

March 18, 2025

March 18, 2025

PACER
48

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 39 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added David Moskowitz. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
49

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANINTG 40 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Clinten N. Garrett. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
50

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 41 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Elleanor Chin. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
51

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 44 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Heidi Parry Stern. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
52

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 47 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Andrew Mendrala. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
53

NOTICE of Appearance by David Moskowitz on behalf of State of Colorado (Moskowitz, David) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
54

NOTICE of Appearance by Heidi Parry Stern on behalf of State of Nevada (Stern, Heidi) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
55

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of James Stanley, Lucia Choi, Natasha Reyes, and Panchalam Srividya Filing fee: $ 500, receipt number AMADC-10901832 by State of California. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Stanley Certificate, # 2 Affidavit Choi Certificate, # 3 Affidavit Reyes Certificate, # 4 Affidavit Srividya Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
56

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 55 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Panchalam S. Srividya, Natasha A. Reyes, Lucia J. Choi, and James. E. Stanley. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/20/2025)

March 20, 2025

March 20, 2025

PACER
57

NOTICE of Appearance by Patrick Ring on behalf of State of Connecticut (Ring, Patrick) (Entered: 03/20/2025)

March 20, 2025

March 20, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 20, 2025

March 20, 2025

PACER
58

MOTION for Leave to File Non-Party Pseudonymous Declarations in Support of Anticipated Request for Entry of Preliminary Injunction by State of Illinois, State of Maine, State of Maryland, Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Jersey, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of New York, State of Wisconsin, State of Vermont, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, State of Hawaii, State of California, State of Arizona, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Delaware, District of Columbia. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit (Proposed Order))(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/21/2025)

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

RECAP
59

MEMORANDUM in Support re 58 MOTION for Leave to File Non-Party Pseudonymous Declarations in Support of Anticipated Request for Entry of Preliminary Injunction filed by State of Illinois, State of Maine, State of Maryland, Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Jersey, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of New York, State of Wisconsin, State of Vermont, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, State of Hawaii, State of California, State of Arizona, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Delaware, District of Columbia. (Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/21/2025)

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

RECAP
60

MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by State of Illinois, State of Maine, State of Maryland, Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Jersey, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of New York, State of Wisconsin, State of Vermont, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, State of Hawaii, State of California, State of Arizona, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Delaware, District of Columbia.(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/21/2025)

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

RECAP
61

Payment: $125.00, receipt number 100011085 for 50 Order on Motion for Leave to Appear (LBO) (Entered: 03/21/2025)

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER
62

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jessica Palmer and Andrew Simon Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10906401 by State of New Jersey. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Simon Certificate, # 2 Exhibit Palmer Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/21/2025)

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER
63

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 62 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jessica L. Palmer and Andrew Simon. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/21/2025)

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER
64

NOTICE of Appearance by Jessica L Palmer on behalf of State of New Jersey (Palmer, Jessica) (Entered: 03/21/2025)

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER
65

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered Before me is Plaintiff States’ Motion for Leave to File Non-Party Pseudonymous Declarations in support of their anticipated request for preliminary injunction. Doc. No. 58 . Plaintiff States assert that the “anticipated declarations will provide the Court with important context and evidence regarding the impact that the Department and Secretary Linda McMahon’s... challenged conduct has had on the day-to-day operations of the Department.” Doc. No. 59 at 1. Plaintiff States argue that the Doe Declarants—comprised of former and current Department employees—“fear immediate termination if they are publicly outed given the Administration’s attempts to terminate employees without following process required by law,” as well as retaliation or unwanted publicity. [Id. at 3 (citing Maryland v. U.S. Dep’t of Agriculture, No. CV JKB-25-0748, 2025 WL 800216 (D. Md. Mar. 13, 2025) (enjoining mass termination of probationary employees as unlawful violation of federal law)]. In support, Plaintiff States cite to several recent examples of alleged retaliation against those involved in investigations and lawsuits against the current administration, to support their belief that there is a legitimate threat of retaliation or retribution if the Doe Declarants were to come forward in a lawsuit against the administration. See Doc. No. 59 at 1 n.1. For the reasons stated below, Plaintiff States’ Motion is GRANTED.The First Circuit has held that there is a “strong presumption against the use of pseudonyms in civil litigation,” but that the use of pseudonyms has been warranted in “exceptional cases.” Doe v. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., 46 F.4th 61, 67 (1st Cir. 2022) (cleaned up). Rather than craft “sharp, categorical exceptions to the strong presumption against pseudonymity in civil litigation,” the First Circuit has outlined “four general categories of exceptional cases in which party anonymity ordinarily will be warranted.” Id. at 70-71. Of those categories, the second and third paradigms are applicable here. “The second paradigm involves cases in which identifying the would-be Doe would harm ‘innocent non-parties.’” Id. at 71 (citation omitted). A nonparty “has a stronger case for anonymity” than a party. See Doe v. Trs. of Dartmouth Coll., 2018 WL 2048385, at *6 (D.N.H. May 2, 2018). “The third paradigm involves cases in which anonymity is necessary to forestall a chilling effect on future litigants who may be similarly situated.” M.I.T., 46 F.4th at 71; see Doe v. Megless, 654 F.3d 404, 410 (3d Cir. 2011) (emphasizing need to ascertain whether “other similarly situated litigants [will] be deterred from litigating claims that the public would like to have litigated”). Here, I find that the Doe Declarants have carried their burden to overcome the presumption against the use of a pseudonym, as the Doe Declarants’ fears of retribution and retaliation in this context is reasonable. The Doe Declarants have demonstrated that they are likely to be harmed as “innocent non-parties” collaterally because of this litigation. Additionally, granting anonymity may forestall the chilling effects on future litigants seeking to ensure that the administration is acting within the appropriate legal bounds. See M.I.T., 46 F.4th at 71 (“These paradigms are rough cuts, and it is possible that a party whose case for pseudonymity appears weak when each paradigm is analyzed separately may nonetheless make a persuasive showing when multiple paradigms are implicated”); see id. (“Civil actions come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and we are not so sanguine as to believe that these four paradigms capture the entire universe of cases in which pseudonymity may be appropriate.”) I find that this is an “exceptional case” where it is appropriate for the non-party declarants to proceed under a pseudonym.Plaintiff States’ Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages, Doc. No. 60, is GRANTED. Counsel for Plaintiff States are directed to confer with counsel for Defendants, and to file a joint proposed briefing schedule. (SP) (Entered: 03/21/2025)

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER

Filing Fee/Payment Received

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to File Document AND Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER
66

NOTICE of Appearance by Gina Bull on behalf of State of New York (Bull, Gina) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

PACER
67

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Megan Rayburn and Michael Newman Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10908664 by State of California. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Rayburn Certificate, # 2 Affidavit Newman Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

PACER
68

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 67 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Michael L. Newman and Megan E. Rayburn. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

PACER
69

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by State of Illinois, State of Maine, State of Maryland, Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Jersey, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of New York, State of Wisconsin, State of Vermont, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, State of Hawaii, State of California, State of Arizona, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Delaware, District of Columbia.(Dirks, Katherine) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

RECAP
70

MEMORANDUM in Support re 69 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by State of Illinois, State of Maine, State of Maryland, Attorney General Dana Nessel for the People of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Jersey, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of New York, State of Wisconsin, State of Vermont, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, State of Hawaii, State of California, State of Arizona, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Delaware, District of Columbia. (Dirks, Katherine) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

Clearinghouse
71

AFFIDAVIT in Support re 70 Memorandum in Support of Motion,, . (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Executive Order, # 2 Exhibit Aug. 21, 2021 GAO Letter, # 3 Exhibit McMahon Mar. 3, 2025 Letter, # 4 Exhibit WSJ Article, # 5 Exhibit DOE Press Release, # 6 Exhibit Sanon Letter, # 7 Exhibit Bergeron Letter, # 8 Exhibit SBA Press Release, # 9 Exhibit NY Times Article, # 10 Exhibit CNN Article, # 11 Exhibit Musk Tweet, # 12 Exhibit Mackey Decl., # 13 Exhibit Thurmond Decl., # 14 Exhibit Acon Decl., # 15 Exhibit Paccione Decl., # 16 Exhibit Fuerst Decl., # 17 Exhibit Marten Decl., # 18 Exhibit Wilkinson Decl., # 19 Exhibit Halbert Decl., # 20 Exhibit Gardner Decl., # 21 Exhibit Higashi Decl., # 22 Exhibit Sanders Decl., # 23 Exhibit Losasso Decl., # 24 Exhibit Gable Decl., # 25 Exhibit Ortega Decl., # 26 Exhibit Barton Decl., # 27 Exhibit Rice Decl., # 28 Exhibit Walker-Griffea Decl., # 29 Exhibit Ehling Decl., # 30 Exhibit Gower Decl., # 31 Exhibit Morton-Bentley Decl., # 32 Exhibit King Decl., # 33 Exhibit Boeckenstedt Decl., # 34 Exhibit Nazarov Decl., # 35 Exhibit Libutti Decl., # 36 Exhibit Echelson Decl., # 37 Exhibit Savage Decl., # 38 Exhibit Merolla-Brito Decl., # 39 Exhibit Bailey Decl., # 40 Exhibit Carmichael Decl., # 41 Exhibit DeLaCruz Decl., # 42 Exhibit Kelly Decl., # 43 Exhibit Loveday Decl., # 44 Exhibit Reid Decl., # 45 Exhibit Britz Decl., # 46 Exhibit Duncan Decl., # 47 Exhibit Gonzalez Decl., # 48 Exhibit Lhamon Decl., # 49 Exhibit Smith Decl., # 50 Exhibit Gittleman Decl., # 51 Exhibit Hamlin Decl., # 52 Exhibit Miller Decl., # 53 Exhibit Doe 1 Decl., # 54 Exhibit Doe 2 Decl., # 55 Exhibit Doe 3 Decl., # 56 Exhibit Doe 4 Decl., # 57 Exhibit Doe 5 Decl, # 58 Exhibit Doe 6 Decl, # 59 Exhibit Doe 7 Decl, # 60 Exhibit Doe 8 Decl, # 61 Exhibit Doe 9 Decl, # 62 Exhibit Doe 10 Decl, # 63 Exhibit Doe 11 Decl, # 64 Exhibit Doe 12 Decl, # 65 Exhibit Perman Decl., # 66 Exhibit Doe 14 Decl., # 67 Exhibit Doe 15 Decl., # 68 Exhibit Doe 16 Decl., # 69 Exhibit Campbell Decl.)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

1 Exhibit Executive Order

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit Aug. 21, 2021 GAO Letter

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit McMahon Mar. 3, 2025 Letter

View on RECAP

4 Exhibit WSJ Article

View on RECAP

5 Exhibit DOE Press Release

View on RECAP

6 Exhibit Sanon Letter

View on RECAP

7 Exhibit Bergeron Letter

View on RECAP

8 Exhibit SBA Press Release

View on RECAP

9 Exhibit NY Times Article

View on RECAP

10 Exhibit CNN Article

View on RECAP

11 Exhibit Musk Tweet

View on RECAP

12 Exhibit Mackey Decl.

View on RECAP

13 Exhibit Thurmond Decl.

View on RECAP

14 Exhibit Acon Decl.

View on RECAP

15 Exhibit Paccione Decl.

View on RECAP

16 Exhibit Fuerst Decl.

View on RECAP

17 Exhibit Marten Decl.

View on RECAP

18 Exhibit Wilkinson Decl.

View on RECAP

19 Exhibit Halbert Decl.

View on RECAP

20 Exhibit Gardner Decl.

View on RECAP

21 Exhibit Higashi Decl.

View on RECAP

22 Exhibit Sanders Decl.

View on RECAP

23 Exhibit Losasso Decl.

View on RECAP

24 Exhibit Gable Decl.

View on RECAP

25 Exhibit Ortega Decl.

View on RECAP

26 Exhibit Barton Decl.

View on RECAP

27 Exhibit Rice Decl.

View on RECAP

28 Exhibit Walker-Griffea Decl.

View on RECAP

29 Exhibit Ehling Decl.

View on RECAP

30 Exhibit Gower Decl.

View on RECAP

31 Exhibit Morton-Bentley Decl.

View on RECAP

32 Exhibit King Decl.

View on RECAP

33 Exhibit Boeckenstedt Decl.

View on RECAP

34 Exhibit Nazarov Decl.

View on RECAP

35 Exhibit Libutti Decl.

View on RECAP

36 Exhibit Echelson Decl.

View on RECAP

37 Exhibit Savage Decl.

View on RECAP

38 Exhibit Merolla-Brito Decl.

View on RECAP

39 Exhibit Bailey Decl.

View on RECAP

40 Exhibit Carmichael Decl.

View on RECAP

41 Exhibit DeLaCruz Decl.

View on RECAP

42 Exhibit Kelly Decl.

View on RECAP

43 Exhibit Loveday Decl.

View on RECAP

44 Exhibit Reid Decl.

View on RECAP

45 Exhibit Britz Decl.

View on RECAP

46 Exhibit Duncan Decl.

View on RECAP

47 Exhibit Gonzalez Decl.

View on RECAP

48 Exhibit Lhamon Decl.

View on RECAP

49 Exhibit Smith Decl.

View on RECAP

50 Exhibit Gittleman Decl.

View on RECAP

51 Exhibit Hamlin Decl.

View on RECAP

52 Exhibit Miller Decl.

View on RECAP

53 Exhibit Doe 1 Decl.

View on RECAP

54 Exhibit Doe 2 Decl.

View on RECAP

55 Exhibit Doe 3 Decl.

View on RECAP

56 Exhibit Doe 4 Decl.

View on RECAP

57 Exhibit Doe 5 Decl

View on RECAP

58 Exhibit Doe 6 Decl

View on RECAP

59 Exhibit Doe 7 Decl

View on RECAP

60 Exhibit Doe 8 Decl

View on RECAP

61 Exhibit Doe 9 Decl

View on RECAP

62 Exhibit Doe 10 Decl

View on RECAP

63 Exhibit Doe 11 Decl

View on RECAP

64 Exhibit Doe 12 Decl

View on RECAP

65 Exhibit Perman Decl.

View on RECAP

66 Exhibit Doe 14 Decl.

View on RECAP

67 Exhibit Doe 15 Decl.

View on RECAP

68 Exhibit Doe 16 Decl.

View on RECAP

69 Exhibit Campbell Decl.

View on RECAP

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

RECAP
72

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Charlotte Gibson Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10909926 by State of Wisconsin. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Gibson Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

PACER
73

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 72 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Charlotte Gibson. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
74

NOTICE of Appearance by Lucia Choi on behalf of State of California (Choi, Lucia) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
75

NOTICE of Appearance by Natasha Adriana Reyes on behalf of State of California (Reyes, Natasha) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
76

NOTICE of Appearance by Andrew Simon on behalf of State of New Jersey (Simon, Andrew) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
77

NOTICE of Appearance by James Edward Stanley on behalf of State of California (Stanley, James) (Entered: 03/26/2025)

March 26, 2025

March 26, 2025

PACER
78

NOTICE of Appearance by Panchalam Seshan Srividya on behalf of State of California (Srividya, Panchalam) (Entered: 03/26/2025)

March 26, 2025

March 26, 2025

RECAP
79

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. The Court sets the following schedule for Plaintiff States’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Doc. No. 69 :- Defendants shall have until Monday, April 7, 2025 to file a Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiff States’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction.- Plaintiff States shall have until Monday, April 14, 2025, to file a Reply in support of their Motion for Preliminary Injunction.- Hearing on the motion is SET for Friday April 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM.(SP) (Entered: 03/27/2025)

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

PACER

Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines AND ~Util - Set Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

PACER
80

NOTICE of Appearance by Andrew Charles Mendrala on behalf of District of Columbia (Mendrala, Andrew) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

RECAP
81

NOTICE of Appearance by Clinten N. Garrett on behalf of State of Arizona (Garrett, Clinten) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER
82

NOTICE of Appearance by Brad P. Rosenberg on behalf of Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, Department of Education (Rosenberg, Brad) (Entered: 04/02/2025)

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

PACER
83

NOTICE of Appearance by Charlotte Gibson on behalf of State of Wisconsin (Gibson, Charlotte) (Entered: 04/02/2025)

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

PACER
84

Payment: $125.00, receipt number 100011186 for 46 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Keith Jamieson (LBO) (Entered: 04/03/2025)

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

PACER

Filing Fee/Payment Received

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

PACER
85

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 46 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Keith M. Jamieson. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 04/04/2025)

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

PACER
86

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Caitlyn Carpenter Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10933173 by State of Hawaii. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Carpenter Certificate)(Hyman, Nathaniel) (Entered: 04/04/2025)

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

PACER
87

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 86 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Caitlyn B. Carpenter. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 04/04/2025)

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Education

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 13, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A coalition of twenty states and the District of Columbia.

Plaintiff Type(s):

State Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

U.S. Department of Education (- United States (national) -), Federal

President Donald Trump (- United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Separation of Powers

Take Care Clause

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Position Restored

Reinstatement

Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention

Order Duration: 2025 - None

Issues

General/Misc.:

Education

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Civil Service