Case: Democracy Forward Foundation v. Office of Management and Budget

1:25-cv-00858 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: March 23, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenged a FOIA denial regarding information about federal agencies' reductions in force and reorganization plans. On February 11, 2025, President Trump released an Executive Order, "Implementing the President’s 'Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce Optimization Initiative." This Order directed agencies to eliminate “waste, bloat, and insularity” in their agency by initiating “large-scale reductions in force” (RIFs). This was followed by a memorandum issued by the Office o…

This case challenged a FOIA denial regarding information about federal agencies' reductions in force and reorganization plans.

On February 11, 2025, President Trump released an Executive Order, "Implementing the President’s 'Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce Optimization Initiative." This Order directed agencies to eliminate “waste, bloat, and insularity” in their agency by initiating “large-scale reductions in force” (RIFs). This was followed by a memorandum issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on February 26, 2025, ordering the heads of all executive branch departments and agencies directing each agency to submit plans for RIFs to OMB and OPM for approval by March 13, 2025.

To shed light on the Administration’s actions, Democracy Forward filed Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests to OPM and OMB seeking the Administration’s plans for dramatic reductions of the federal workforce and, from OPM, for communications related to these plans. Specifically, Democracy Forward requested “All Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans (“ARRPs”) submitted to OMB by heads and acting heads of departments and agencies as required by OMB Director Vought and OPM Acting Director Ezell’s February 26, 2025 memorandum...” Democracy Forward filed numerous expedited processing requests for these FOIA records throughout March 2025. OPM and OMB failed to notify Democracy Forward of any determinations on these requests.

On March 23, 2025, Democracy Forward filed this complaint in the District of Columbia against Defendants OPM and OMB. Represented by in-house counsel, Plaintiff alleged a violation of FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552, for failure to grant expedited processing of these FOIA requests. Plaintiff alleged that by failing to grant Plaintiff’s requests for expedited processing on Plaintiff’s FOIA requests concerning matters of urgent national concern, Defendants violated FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E)(iii). Plaintiff sought relief ordering Defendants to grant Plaintiff’s requests for expedited processing and to process Plaintiff’s requests on an expedited basis by providing Plaintiff, as soon as practicable, with a determination and non-exempt portions of the requested records by producing those records within the time period required by the statute—by April 9, 2025—or else within seven days of the Court’s order. Plaintiff also sought attorneys’ fees and other costs.

The case was assigned to Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan.

The following day, Plaintiff filed a motion for a limited preliminary injunction. Plaintiff asked the court to issue an order requiring Defendants to process their FOIA requests as soon as practicable, and to produce, no later than April 9, 2025, a limited subset of the requested records: the RIF plans that Defendants had approved with rolling productions thereafter.

On April 2, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss. Defendants alleged that Plaintiff was not entitled to expedited process and that Plaintiff had failed to exhaust administrative remedies. Further, Defendant argued that the preliminary injunction should be denied because Plaintiff sought production of records that were not part of the initial FOIA request, and in the alternative, preliminary injunctions are improper in FOIA cases.

The court, on April 9, denied both the motion to dismiss and the motion for preliminary injunction. The court found that Plaintiff's FOIA requests and subsequent expedited review requests were submitted within the required ten-day window, and given that Defendant never responded to these requests, the court found that Plaintiff had exhausted its administrative remedies. As such, the court denied the motion to dismiss. In addition, the court denied the motion for preliminary injunction, finding that Plaintiff failed to show that delay in receiving a response to its FOIA requests would compromise a "significant recognized interest," nor did the court find that any alleged harm by denying the injunction would be "irreparable." 780 F.Supp.3d 61.

The following day, Plaintiff filed an amended complaint adding more specific facts demonstrating how it had exhausted its administrative remedies before filing suit.

On May 29, the parties filed a status report, informing the court that OPM intended to begin releasing documents around June 30, while OMB reported that it believed any requested documents would be protected under the deliberative privilege, meaning that it did not intend to release any documents. For its part, the plaintiff asked the court to order OMB to release any documents not covered by privilege by July 14. On September 3, 2025, the parties filed a status report informing the court that OMB was searching for some of the documents requested and that others would be withheld under FOIA exemption five.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Madilynn O'Hara (4/5/2025)

Jeremiah Price (6/24/2025)

Nick Martire (10/5/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69776370/parties/democracy-forward-foundation-v-office-of-management-and-budget/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Flaxman, Carrie Y. (District of Columbia)

McGrath, Daniel Alexander (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Duffey, Thomas (District of Columbia)

Escher, Sam (District of Columbia)

Robertson, L'Shauntee J. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Flaxman, Carrie Y. (District of Columbia)

McGrath, Daniel Alexander (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Duffey, Thomas (District of Columbia)

Escher, Sam (District of Columbia)

Robertson, L'Shauntee J. (District of Columbia)

Truong, John Cuong (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:25-cv-00858	Complaint for Injunctive Relief Democracy Forward Foundation v. Office of Personnel Management	March 23, 2025	March 23, 2025 Complaint
3 1:25-cv-00858	Motion for a Limited Preliminary Injunction	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
9 1:25-cv-00858	Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss and Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion for a Limited Preliminary Injunction	April 2, 2025	April 2, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
20 1:25-cv-00858	Memorandum Opinion	April 9, 2025	April 9, 2025 Order/Opinion 780 F.Supp.3d 61
21 1:25-cv-00858	Order	April 9, 2025	April 9, 2025 Order/Opinion 780 F.Supp.3d 61
22 1:25-cv-00858	First Amended Complaint	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 Complaint

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
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/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69776370/democracy-forward-foundation-v-office-of-management-and-budget/

Last updated July 22, 2026, 4:42 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	March 23, 2025	COMPLAINT against OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11560376) filed by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 03/23/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER 3 Summons View on PACER 4 Summons View on PACER 5 Summons View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	March 23, 2025	ENTERED IN ERROR.....LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION (McGrath, Daniel) Modified on 3/25/2025 (zsl). (Entered: 03/23/2025)	RECAP
3	March 24, 2025	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction for Limited Relief by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	Clearinghouse
4	March 24, 2025	ENTERED IN ERROR.....LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests (corrected with civil cover sheet) by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet corrected)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	RECAP
	March 24, 2025	Notice of Error- New Case
	March 24, 2025	NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR regarding 2 LCvR 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure - Corporate Affiliations/Financial Interests, 1 Civil Cover Sheet. The following error(s) need correction: Blank/Incomplete/Missing LCvR 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure. Please file the Certificate LCvR 26.1 (CO-386) form at www.dcd.uscourts.gov/new-case-forms using the event LCvR 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure. Blank/Incomplete/Missing civil cover sheet. Please file the Civil Cover Sheet (JS44) form at www.dcd.uscourts.gov/new-case-forms using the event Civil Cover Sheet. Form(s) filed as fillable PDF. Please file form in a non-fillable PDF format. COMPLIANCE DEADLINE is by close of business today. This case will not proceed any further until all errors are satisfied. (zsl)
5	March 25, 2025	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests corrected with civil cover sheet corrected by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet corrected)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	RECAP
6	March 25, 2025	SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zsl) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	RECAP
7	March 25, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by L'Shauntee J. Robertson on behalf of All Defendants (Robertson, L'Shauntee) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	RECAP
	March 25, 2025	Notice of Error- New Case
	March 25, 2025	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	March 25, 2025	NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR regarding 4 LCvR 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure - Corporate Affiliations/Financial Interests. The following error(s) need correction: Blank/Incomplete/Missing LCvR 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure. Please file the Certificate LCvR 26.1 (CO-386) form at www.dcd.uscourts.gov/new-case-forms using the event LCvR 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure. Blank/Incomplete/Missing civil cover sheet. Please file the Civil Cover Sheet (JS44) form at www.dcd.uscourts.gov/new-case-forms using the event Civil Cover Sheet. Form(s) filed as fillable PDF. Please file form in a non-fillable PDF format. COMPLIANCE DEADLINE is by close of business today. This case will not proceed any further until all errors are satisfied. (zsl)
	March 25, 2025	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	March 25, 2025	Case Assigned to Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan. (zsl)
	March 25, 2025	Order
	March 25, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: After review of the Plaintiff's 1 Complaint and 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, the Court ORDERS the Parties to meet and confer and to file a joint status report addressing the following issues by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 26, 2025: (1) a proposed briefing schedule for the Motion; (2) a statement addressing whether a hearing on the Motion is necessary, and if so, three proposed dates and times for such a hearing; and (3) a statement addressing whether the Parties anticipate factual disputes between declarants, and if so, a statement addressing whether the Parties believe an evidentiary hearing will be necessary to resolve the disputes and a proposal for proceeding with such a hearing, see LCvR 65.1(d). The Parties may also address any other issues that they believe will be helpful to the Court. Any disagreements should be noted in the Joint Status Report. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 3/25/2025. (lcas)
8	March 26, 2025	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 03/26/2025)	RECAP
	March 26, 2025	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings
	March 26, 2025	Order
	March 26, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the Parties' 8 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to comply with the following briefing schedule: The Defendants shall file their opposition by April 2, 2025, and the Plaintiff shall file its reply by April 4, 2025. Any hearing, if necessary, will be held in person on April 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 14. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 3/26/2025. (lcas)
9	April 2, 2025	MOTION to Dismiss by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Walsh, # 2 Declaration Aponte-Rossini, # 3 Exhibit A, # 4 Exhibit B, # 5 Exhibit C)(Robertson, L'Shauntee) (Entered: 04/02/2025) 1 Declaration Walsh View on RECAP 2 Declaration Aponte-Rossini View on PACER 3 Exhibit A View on RECAP 4 Exhibit B View on RECAP 5 Exhibit C View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
10	April 2, 2025	Memorandum in opposition to re 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Walsh, # 2 Declaration Aponte-Rossini, # 3 Exhibit A, # 4 Exhibit B, # 5 Exhibit C)(Robertson, L'Shauntee) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	RECAP
11	April 4, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/26/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/25/2025. (McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
12	April 4, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET served on 3/26/2025 (McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
13	April 4, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT served on 3/26/2025 (McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
14	April 4, 2025	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 03/26/2025. (McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
15	April 4, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by John Cuong Truong on behalf of OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (Truong, John) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
16	April 4, 2025	REPLY to opposition to motion re 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit Redline of Amended Prop Order)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
17	April 4, 2025	Memorandum in opposition to re 9 Motion to Dismiss filed by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit Redline of Amended Prop Order)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
	April 4, 2025	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings
	April 4, 2025	Order
	April 4, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: The Parties are directed to appear for a hearing on the Plaintiff's 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction on April 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 14 (in person) before Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 4/4/2025.(lcas)
18	April 7, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Carrie Y. Flaxman on behalf of DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION (Flaxman, Carrie) (Entered: 04/07/2025)	RECAP
19	April 8, 2025	REPLY to opposition to motion re 9 Motion to Dismiss filed by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Truong, John) (Entered: 04/08/2025)	RECAP
	April 8, 2025	Motion Hearing
	April 8, 2025	Minute Entry for Motion Hearing held on 4/8/2025 before Judge Sparkle Sooknanan. Oral arguments submitted on Plaintiff's Motion 3 for Preliminary Injunction and Defendants' Motion 9 to Dismiss. Motions taken under advisement; forthcoming Order. (Court Reporter: Elizabeth Davila.) (zljn)
20	April 9, 2025	MEMORANDUM OPINION re the Defendants' 9 Motion to Dismiss and the Plaintiff's 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. See the attached document for details. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 4/9/2025. (lcas) (Entered: 04/09/2025)	Clearinghouse
21	April 9, 2025	ORDER denying the Defendants' 9 Motion to Dismiss and denying the Plaintiff's 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. See the 20 Memorandum Opinion for details. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 4/9/2025. (lcas) (Entered: 04/09/2025)	Clearinghouse
22	April 10, 2025	AMENDED COMPLAINT against OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT filed by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Redline of Amended Compl.)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	Clearinghouse
23	April 24, 2025	ANSWER to 22 Amended Complaint by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.(Truong, John) (Entered: 04/24/2025)	RECAP
24	April 25, 2025	ORDER: The Court ORDERS the Parties to meet and confer and to file a joint status report by May 23, 2025. See the attached document for details. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 4/25/2025. (lcas) (Entered: 04/25/2025)	RECAP
25	May 22, 2025	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to Submit Joint Status Report by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Truong, John) (Entered: 05/22/2025)	RECAP
	May 23, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to AND Set/Reset Deadlines
	May 23, 2025	MINUTE ORDER granting the 25 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to Submit Joint Status Report. The joint status report is due by May 29, 2025. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 5/23/2025. (lcah)
26	May 29, 2025	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Truong, John) (Entered: 05/29/2025)	RECAP
	May 31, 2025	Status Report Order
	May 31, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the Parties' 26 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to file a further joint status report by July 30, 2025. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 5/31/2025. (lcah)
27	June 14, 2025	NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Sam Escher on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney L'Shauntee Robertson and John Truong (Escher, Sam) (Entered: 06/14/2025)	RECAP
28	July 30, 2025	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 07/30/2025)	RECAP
	July 31, 2025	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	July 31, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the Parties' 28 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to meet and confer and to file a further joint status report by September 2, 2025. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 7/31/2025. (lcrk)
29	Sept. 2, 2025	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 09/02/2025)	RECAP
30	Sept. 3, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas Duffey on behalf of All Defendants (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 09/03/2025)	RECAP
31	Sept. 3, 2025	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 09/03/2025)	RECAP
	Sept. 3, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the Parties' 29 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to file a further joint status report by October 6, 2025. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 9/3/2025. (lcal)
	Sept. 3, 2025	Status Report Order
	Sept. 3, 2025	Notice of Error
	Sept. 3, 2025	NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 29 Status Report. The following error(s) need correction: Invalid attorney signature- signature on document must match PACER login. Please refile. (zjm)
	Sept. 3, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the Parties' 31 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to file a further joint status report by October 6, 2025. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 9/3/2025. (lcal)
32	Nov. 24, 2025	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Escher, Sam) (Entered: 11/24/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 25, 2025	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 32 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to file a further joint status report by January 7, 2026. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 11/25/2025. (lcal)
	Nov. 25, 2025	Status Report Order
33	Dec. 23, 2025	NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Benjamin H. Zieman on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Sam Escher (Zieman, Benjamin) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
34	Jan. 7, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Zieman, Benjamin) (Entered: 01/07/2026)	RECAP
	Jan. 8, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 34 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to file a further joint status report by February 9, 2026, that addresses how many pages remain to be reviewed and the expected timeline for review and production of those pages. The Parties report should include only new updates since the filing of the current report. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 1/8/2026. (lcal)
	Jan. 8, 2026	Status Report Order
35	Feb. 9, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Zieman, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/09/2026)	RECAP
	Feb. 9, 2026	Status Report Order
	Feb. 9, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 35 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to file a further joint status report by February 12, 2026. With respect to Subpart 1, the joint status report should detail how many pages are in consultation and when they were sent to the respective agencies. With respect to Subpart 2, the joint status report should indicate when the Defendants expect to be able to identify the specific page count outstanding and expected date for completion of review and production. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 2/9/2026. (lcal)
36	Feb. 12, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Zieman, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/12/2026)	RECAP
	Feb. 13, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the Parties' 36 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to file a further joint status report by March 16, 2026. This Joint Status Report should (1) confirm that production with respect to Subpart 2 is complete, and (2) if any Subpart 1 pages remain in consultation, state the date by which that consultation is expected to be complete. Further, the Joint Status Report should include only new information and should not repeat information or background previously provided. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 2/13/2026. (lcdl)
	Feb. 13, 2026	Status Report Order
37	March 16, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Zieman, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/16/2026)	RECAP
	March 16, 2026	Status Report Order
	March 16, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 37 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to file a further joint status report by April 15, 2026. That status report should update the Court on the Parties' efforts to resolve this case without further judicial intervention or, as necessary, propose next steps for resolving any outstanding disputes. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 3/16/2026. (lcal)
38	April 15, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Zieman, Benjamin) (Entered: 04/15/2026)	RECAP
	April 16, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 38 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to file a further joint status report by June 1, 2026. That report should update the Court on the Parties' efforts to resolve their disputes without judicial intervention and, as necessary, propose a summary judgment briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 4/16/2026. (lcal)
	April 16, 2026	Status Report Order
39	June 1, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Zieman, Benjamin) (Entered: 06/01/2026)	RECAP
	June 2, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 39 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Parties to comply with the following briefing schedule. The Defendants shall file their motion for summary judgment by July 2, 2026. The Plaintiff shall file its combined cross-motion and opposition by July 23, 2026. The Defendants shall file their combined opposition and reply by August 6, 2026. The Plaintiff shall file its reply by August 13, 2026. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 6/2/2026. (lcal)
	June 2, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
40	June 29, 2026	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to file motion for summary judgment by OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Zieman, Benjamin) (Entered: 06/29/2026)	RECAP
	June 29, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	June 29, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: The Court has reviewed the 40 Motion for Extension of Time. First, the Court assures counsel that it reviewed the proposed schedule in the 39 Joint Status Report when it set a briefing schedule in this case. The Parties may not set briefing schedules by consent. Second, the Defendants waited almost a month after the Court set a briefing schedule to file the 40 Motion only a couple days before their deadline. The Court does not tolerate such conduct from counsel, and it does not give the Government more lenience than other parties appearing before it. The Court ORDERS the Defendants to file a notice by July 1, 2026, addressing (1) why they did not move for an extension earlier, and (2) the soonest that the agencies are able to prepare the requisite declarations. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 6/29/2026. (lcal)
41	July 1, 2026	Notice (Other)	RECAP
	July 1, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to AND Set/Reset Deadlines

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Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 1.0 & 2.0 FOIA cases

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Appointments/Civil Service

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 23, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Democracy Forward Foundation

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Democracy Forward

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Office of Management and Budget

Office of Personnel Management

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-00858

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Access to information systems

Civil Service

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Democracy Forward Foundation v. Office of Management and Budget, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46280/ (last updated 10/5/2025).