Case: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People v. United States of America

8:25-cv-00965 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: March 24, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenged the Trump administration’s authority to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (“DOE”). On March 24, 2025, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (“NAACP”), three regional NAACP branches, three teachers’ unions, and three parents of children whose children benefit from DOE programs filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against the United States and the DOE. Represented by private counsel, the Education Law Cen…

This case challenged the Trump administration’s authority to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (“DOE”). On March 24, 2025, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (“NAACP”), three regional NAACP branches, three teachers’ unions, and three parents of children whose children benefit from DOE programs filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against the United States and the DOE. Represented by private counsel, the Education Law Center, the National Education Association, and the National Student Legal Defense Network, the plaintiffs alleged that the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle and eliminate the DOE, including the cancellations of grants, reductions of force, and a March 20, 2025 Executive Order issued by President Trump, violated the Take Care Clause (Art. II § 3), the Appropriations Clause (Art. I § 9), the Spending Clause (Art. I § 8), the Separation of Powers, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The plaintiffs sought a preliminary and permanent injunction, a declaration that the defendants’ actions were unlawful, and attorneys’ fees and costs. The case was assigned to District Judge Julie R. Rubin.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Meredith Ulle (3/31/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69782265/parties/national-association-for-the-advancement-of-colored-people-v-the-united/


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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

8:25-cv-00965

Complaint

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

Complaint

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69782265/national-association-for-the-advancement-of-colored-people-v-the-united/

Last updated April 16, 2025, 12:28 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Linda McMahon, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, United States Department of Education ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AMDDC-11861968.), filed by Mara Greengrass, AFSCME Council 3, NAACP South Carolina State Conference, NAACP Texas State Conference, NAACP Lubbock Branch, National Education Association, Jane Doe 2, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Prince George's County Educators' Association, Jane Doe 1, NAACP Florence Branch. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons)(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

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

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION to Proceed Under Pseudonyms, to Waive Address Requirement, and for a Protective Order by Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2 (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support Memorandum in support)(Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

PACER

Case Reassigned to Judge Julie Rebecca Rubin. Judge Deborah L. Boardman no longer assigned to the case. (jf3s, Deputy Clerk)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
3

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Ethan Judd (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11863412.) by Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Mara Greengrass, NAACP Florence Branch, NAACP Lubbock Branch, NAACP South Carolina State Conference, NAACP Texas State Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
4

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Robert Kim (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11863503.) by Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Mara Greengrass, NAACP Florence Branch, NAACP Lubbock Branch, NAACP South Carolina State Conference, NAACP Texas State Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
5

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Jessica Levin (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11863516.) by Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Mara Greengrass, NAACP Florence Branch, NAACP Lubbock Branch, NAACP South Carolina State Conference, NAACP Texas State Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
6

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Theresa Luhm (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11863535.) by Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Mara Greengrass, NAACP Florence Branch, NAACP Lubbock Branch, NAACP South Carolina State Conference, NAACP Texas State Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
7

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Wendy Lecker (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11863554.) by Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Mara Greengrass, NAACP Florence Branch, NAACP Lubbock Branch, NAACP South Carolina State Conference, NAACP Texas State Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
8

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by National Education Association (Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
9

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 3 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Ethan Judd. Directing attorney Ethan Judd to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/25/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
10

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by Prince George's County Educators' Association (Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
11

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 4 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Robert Kim. Directing attorney Robert Kim to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/25/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
12

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 5 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Jessica Levin. Directing attorney Jessica Levin to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/25/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
13

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 6 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Theresa Luhm. Directing attorney Theresa Luhm to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/25/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
14

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 7 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Wendy Lecker. Directing attorney Wendy Lecker to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/25/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
15

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by Jane Doe 1 (Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
16

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by Jane Doe 2 (Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
17

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by Mara Greengrass (Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
18

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
19

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by NAACP Florence Branch (Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
20

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by NAACP Lubbock Branch (Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
21

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by NAACP South Carolina State Conference (Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
22

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by NAACP Texas State Conference (Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
23

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by AFSCME Council 3 (Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

RECAP
24

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Marissa Marandola (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11865049.) by National Education Association, Prince George's County Educators' Association(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
25

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Alice O'Brien (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11865052.) by National Education Association, Prince George's County Educators' Association(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
26

Summons Issued 60 days as to Linda McMahon, The United States of America, United States Department of Education, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/26/2025)

March 26, 2025

March 26, 2025

RECAP
27

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Eric Rothschild (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11867835.) by National Education Association(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/26/2025)

March 26, 2025

March 26, 2025

PACER
28

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Aaron S. Ament (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11867864.) by National Education Association(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/26/2025)

March 26, 2025

March 26, 2025

PACER
29

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Jenna Waldman (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11870217.) by Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Mara Greengrass, NAACP Florence Branch, NAACP Lubbock Branch, NAACP South Carolina State Conference, NAACP Texas State Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/27/2025)

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

PACER
30

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Ryan Wheeler (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-11870240.) by Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Mara Greengrass, NAACP Florence Branch, NAACP Lubbock Branch, NAACP South Carolina State Conference, NAACP Texas State Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(Sellers, Joseph) (Entered: 03/27/2025)

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

PACER
31

QC NOTICE: 24 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice filed by National Education Association, Prince George's County Educators' Association needs to be modified. See attachment for details and corrective actions needed regarding the signature(s) on the motion. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/27/2025)

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

PACER
32

QC NOTICE: 25 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice filed by National Education Association, Prince George's County Educators' Association needs to be modified. See attachment for details and corrective actions needed regarding the signature(s) on the motion. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/27/2025)

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

PACER
33

CORRECTED MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Alice O'Brien by National Education Association, Prince George's County Educators' Association. The fee has already been paid.(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/27/2025)

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

PACER
34

CORRECTED MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Marissa Marandola by National Education Association, Prince George's County Educators' Association. The fee has already been paid.(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 03/27/2025)

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

PACER
35

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 27 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Eric Rothschild. Directing attorney Eric Rothschild to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/28/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/28/2025)

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

PACER
36

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 28 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Aaron S. Ament. Directing attorney Aaron S. Ament to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/28/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/28/2025)

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

PACER
37

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 29 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Jenna Waldman. Directing attorney Jenna Waldman to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/31/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER
38

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 30 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Ryan Wheeler. Directing attorney Ryan Wheeler to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/31/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER
39

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 33 Corrected Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Alice O'Brien. Directing attorney Alice O'Brien to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/31/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER
40

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 34 Corrected Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Marissa Marandola. Directing attorney Marissa Marandola to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 3/31/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER
41

SUMMONS Returned Executed by AFSCME Council 3, National Education Association, Prince George's County Educators' Association. Linda McMahon served on 4/1/2025, answer due 6/2/2025; The United States of America served on 4/1/2025, answer due 6/2/2025; United States Department of Education served on 4/1/2025, answer due 6/2/2025.(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 04/04/2025)

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

Education

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Appointments/Civil Service)

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Spending Freezes/Cuts)

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 24, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are the NAACP, four local NAACP organizations, three parents whose children benefit from a Department of Education program, and three teachers' unions (NEA, Prince George's County Educators Ass'n, AFSCME Council 3)

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

United States of America (- United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Separation of Powers

Take Care Clause

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Education