Case: Carter v. United States Department of Education

1:25-cv-00744 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: March 14, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case is about the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education and its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and the resulting halt of investigations into discrimination complaints. Plaintiffs filed this case in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on March 14, 2025. The plaintiffs in this case are (1) the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, a nonprofit representing the interests of parents with children with disabilities, and (2) parents who filed complaints with OCR, only for OCR to stop investigating and proceeding with their complaints. Represented by nonprofit counsel, Plaintiffs brought this action against the U.S. Department of Education and its agency heads. This case was assigned to Judge Paul L. Friedman.

The complaint alleges that after the inauguration, OCR investigations into discrimination complaints stopped, but that OCR opened investigations which targeted programs and actions “intended to support students of color and LGBTQI+ students.” The Department of Education launched an “End DEI portal” which accepted information to use to target DEI programs. The complaint further stipulates that OCR’s workforce had been “decimated” preventing “OCR from performing its statutory duties.” Plaintiffs argued that the Department of Education’s actions “violate the Administrative Procedure Act, exceed defendants’ lawful authority, and violate the equal protection guarantee under the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment.” Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief. This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Juliet Alpert (3/19/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69737108/parties/carter-v-united-states-department-of-education/

Judge(s)

Friedman, Paul L. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Smith, Johnathan James (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Friedman, Paul L. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Smith, Johnathan James (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:25-cv-00744	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 Complaint
15 1:25-cv-00744	First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 Complaint

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
February 14, 2025 Dear Colleague Letter Craig Trainor	Letter published by the Department of Education under the second Trump administration, purporting to ban the teaching of history and other subjects that acknowledged systemic and structural racism, b…	Feb. 14, 2025	Feb. 14, 2025 https://www.ed.gov/...
EO 14201 - Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports President Donald Trump	Rescinding all federal funds from educational programs that allow transgender girls and women to compete in girls' and women's sports.	Feb. 5, 2025	Feb. 5, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...
EO 14190 - Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling President Donald Trump	Directing federal agencies to end funding of schools and educational programs that support the "promotion of gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology" or support the social transition of min…	Jan. 29, 2025	Jan. 29, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...
EO 14168 - Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government President Donald Trump	Declaring that the United States government recognized two biologically-defined sexes, male and female and implementing this definition of gender in various legal spaces, including but not limited to…	Jan. 20, 2025	Jan. 20, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69737108/carter-v-united-states-department-of-education/

Last updated April 21, 2025, 3:10 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF against LINDA MCMAHON, CRAIG TRAINOR, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11541040) filed by NIKKI S. CARTER, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., A.W.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 03/14/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER 3 Summons View on PACER 4 Summons View on PACER	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 Clearinghouse
	Notice of Error- New Case	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
2	SEALED MOTION to Proceed Under Pseudonym filed by NIKKI S. CARTER, A.W., COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
3	SEALED DOCUMENT filed by NIKKI S. CARTER, A.W., COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC. re 1 Complaint, (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
4	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests for Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. by NIKKI S. CARTER, A.W., COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC. (Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
5	SEALED MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL filed by NIKKI S. CARTER, A.W., COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of A.W. in support of Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym, Dkt. 2, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
	Case Assigned to Judge Amir H. Ali. (zmtm)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
6	SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to LINDA MCMAHON, CRAIG TRAINOR, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmtm) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
	NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR The following error(s) need correction: Missing summonses- U.S. government. When naming a U.S. government agent or agency as a defendant, you must supply a summons for each defendant & two additional summonses for the U.S. Attorney & U.S. Attorney General. Please submit using the event Request for Summons to Issue. (zmtm)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
7	Case randomly reassigned to Judge Paul L. Friedman. Judge Amir H. Ali is no longer assigned to the case. (rj) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
8	REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE filed by NIKKI S. CARTER, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., A.W.. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by NIKKI S. CARTER, A.W., COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Summons)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
12	SEALED Declaration filed by NIKKI S. CARTER, A.W., COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC.. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(zjm) (Entered: 03/17/2025)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 PACER
11	SUMMONS (2) Issued Electronically as to U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zjm) (Entered: 03/17/2025) 1 Notice and Consent View on PACER	March 17, 2025	March 17, 2025 PACER
13	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Pallavi Bugga, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11603284. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Standing)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/09/2025)	April 9, 2025	April 9, 2025 PACER
14	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Selene Almazan-Altobelli, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11603286. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/09/2025)	April 9, 2025	April 9, 2025 PACER
15	AMENDED COMPLAINT (FIRST) FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF against All Defendants filed by COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS, A.S., MELISSA COMBS, AMY CUPP, A.M..(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 Clearinghouse
16	SEALED DOCUMENT filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS re 15 Amended Complaint, (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
17	SEALED MOTION to Proceed Under Pseudonym filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
18	SEALED MOTION to Proceed Under Pseudonym filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
19	SEALED MOTION to Proceed Under Pseudonym filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
20	SEALED MOTION to Proceed Under Pseudonym filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
21	SEALED MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of K.D. in support of Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
22	SEALED MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Melissa Combs in Support of Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
23	SEALED MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of A.S. in support of Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
24	SEALED MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of A.M. in support of Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
25	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Freya Pitts, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11610458. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Freya Pitts)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 PACER
26	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Hong Le, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11610526. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER granting 25 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 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 Paul L. Friedman on April 11, 2025. (lcjd)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER granting 26 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 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 Paul L. Friedman on April 11, 2025. (lcjd)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 PACER
29	SEALED Declaration of K.D. in support of Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS. re 17 Sealed Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym,. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(zjm) (Entered: 04/15/2025)	April 14, 2025	April 14, 2025 PACER
30	SEALED Declaration of Melissa Combs in Support of Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS. re 18 Sealed Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym,. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(zjm) (Entered: 04/15/2025)	April 14, 2025	April 14, 2025 PACER
31	SEALED Declaration of A.S. in support of Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym filed by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS. re 19 Sealed Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym,. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(zjm) (Entered: 04/15/2025)	April 14, 2025	April 14, 2025 PACER
32	SEALED Declar ation of A.M. in support of Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonymfiled by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS. re 20 Sealed Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym,. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(zjm) (Entered: 04/15/2025)	April 14, 2025	April 14, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 16, 2025	April 16, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER: Plaintiffs' 13 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice is DENIED. Counsel must submit a declaration including a business telephone number. Signed by Judge Paul L. Friedman on April 16, 2025. (lcjd)	April 16, 2025	April 16, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER: Plaintiffs' 14 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice is DENIED. Counsel must submit a declaration including a business telephone number. Signed by Judge Paul L. Friedman on April 16, 2025. (lcjd)	April 16, 2025	April 16, 2025 PACER
33	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Pallavi Bugga, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11622043. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission of Pallavi Bugga)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/16/2025)	April 16, 2025	April 16, 2025 PACER
34	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Selene Almazan-Altobelli, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11622052. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by A.M., A.S., A.W., NIKKI S. CARTER, MELISSA COMBS, COUNCIL OF PARENT ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, INC., AMY CUPP, K.D., ELIZABETH STEWART-WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission of Selene Almazan-Altobelli)(Smith, Johnathan) (Entered: 04/16/2025)	April 16, 2025	April 16, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER granting 33 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 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 Paul L. Friedman on April 17, 2025. (lcjd)	April 17, 2025	April 17, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 17, 2025	April 17, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER granting 34 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 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 Paul L. Friedman on April 17, 2025. (lcjd)	April 17, 2025	April 17, 2025 PACER