Case: American Association of University Professors v. Department of Justice

1:25-cv-02429 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: March 25, 2025

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Case Summary

This case challenges the Trump Administration’s punitive measures against Columbia University for its asserted failure to address antisemitism on campus, including the cancellation of $400 million in federal research funding and demands for sweeping programmatic and structural changes. On March 25, 2025, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), two labor organizations for teachers and professors, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. Dist…

On March 25, 2025, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), two labor organizations for teachers and professors, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. General Services Administration, and their corresponding agency heads. Plaintiffs sued under the Plaintiffs sued under the First Amendment, the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause, the Tenth Amendment, the Spending Clause, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Separation of Powers.The case was assigned to District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.

Represented by Protect Democracy and private counsel, the plaintiffs sought a preliminary and permanent injunction requiring the restoration of funding and prohibiting further unlawful actions, declaratory relief, damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.

Plaintiffs alleged that conditioning billions of dollars in congressionally authorized federal funding on Columbia University’s regulation of campus speech and expression violated the First Amendment by coercing Columbia to suppress student and faculty speech, particularly expression supportive of Palestinian rights. The plaintiffs also raised a Fifth Amendment due process claim, asserting that the government failed to provide adequate notice or an opportunity to be heard before threatening severe financial penalties. They maintained that the lack of any formal adjudication or evidentiary process deprived Columbia and its community of basic procedural protections, particularly given the vagueness of the government’s expectations and the absence of a clear standard for compliance. In addition, the plaintiffs invoked the Tenth Amendment, arguing that the federal government exceeded its constitutional authority by attempting to control the internal operations of a private university, thereby encroaching on areas traditionally governed by state law and institutional autonomy.

Under the Spending Clause, the plaintiffs contended that the government’s threats were unlawful because the conditions imposed were not clearly stated, lacked a sufficient nexus to the purpose of the funding, and were unconstitutionally coercive. They emphasized that the conditions were applied retroactively, were unrelated to the underlying federal programs and left the university with no real choice but to acquiesce. The plaintiffs also asserted violations of the Administrative Procedure Act, arguing that the agencies involved lacked statutory authority for their actions and had bypassed necessary rulemaking procedures. They described the agencies’ actions as arbitrary and capricious, driven by political pressure rather than formal findings of discrimination. Finally, the plaintiffs raised a Separation of Powers concern, contending that the executive branch had unlawfully usurped powers reserved to Congress and the judiciary. They argued that the administration’s proposed remedy—placing academic departments into federal receivership—had no legal basis and reflected an improper attempt to impose sanctions through executive fiat.

On April 3, 2025, plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. On June 16, 2025, Judge Vyskocil denied this motion and dismissed the case without prejudice for lack of standing. The court held that the plaintiff unions lacked standing because they could not demonstrate a concrete and particularized injury fairly traceable to the defendants’ alleged conduct. The court emphasized that Columbia University itself was not a party to the lawsuit. Without a direct plaintiff experiencing harm, the court concluded that the unions could not seek equitable relief such as reinstatement of funds or an injunction against the government. Additionally, the court found that the unions failed to show a likelihood of success on the merits or irreparable harm necessary to justify preliminary relief. As a result, the case was dismissed without prejudice and administratively closed. That same day, the plaintiffs filed an appeal to the Second Circuit.

	Document
1 1:25-cv-02429	Complaint American Association of University Professors v. United States Department of Justice	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025 Complaint
26 1:25-cv-02429	Plaintiffs’ Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction	April 3, 2025	April 3, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
24 1:25-cv-02429	Plaintiffs' Notice of Motion and Motion for a Preliminary Injunction	April 3, 2025	April 3, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
70 1:25-cv-02429	Amicus Motion for leave American Association of University Professors v. United States Department of Justice	April 23, 2025	April 23, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
87 1:25-cv-02429	Notice of Unopposed Motion for Leave to File Brief of Amici Curiae Center for Constitutional Rights and Palestine Legal American Association of University Professors v. United States Department of Justice	April 29, 2025	April 29, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
91 1:25-cv-02429	Defendants’ Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Motion for a Preliminary Injunction	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
148 1:25-cv-02429	Opinion & Order Denying Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Dismissing for Lack of Standing	June 16, 2025	June 16, 2025 Order/Opinion 2025 WL 1684817

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against Pamela Bondi, Stephen Ehikian, Josh Gruenbaum, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, Sean R. Keveney, Linda McMahon, Matthew J. Memoli, National Institutes of Health, Leo Terrell, United States Department of Education, United States Department of Health And Human Services, United States Department of Justice, United States General Services Administration, Thomas E. Wheeler. (Filing Fee $ 405.00.)Document filed by American Federation of Teachers, American Association of University Professors..(Danjuma, Rodkangyil) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	CIVIL COVER SHEET filed..(Danjuma, Rodkangyil) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025 PACER
3	FILING ERROR - DEFICIENT REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to United States Department of Justice; Pamela Bondi; Leo Terrell; United States Department of Health and Human Services; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Sean Keveney; National Institutes of Health; Matthew J. Memoli; United States Department of Education; Linda McMahon; Thomas E. Wheeler; Craig Trainor; United States General Services Administration; Stephen Ehikian; Josh Gruenbaum; United States Attorney's Office Southern District of New York, re: 1 Complaint. Document filed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers. (Danjuma, Rodkangyil) Modified on 3/26/2025 (sj). (Entered: 03/25/2025)	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025 PACER
4	RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. No Corporate Parent. Document filed by American Association of University Professors..(Danjuma, Rodkangyil) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025 PACER
5	RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. No Corporate Parent. Document filed by American Federation of Teachers..(Danjuma, Rodkangyil) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025 PACER
6	FILING ERROR - SUMMONS REQUEST PDF ERROR - REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to United States Department of Justice; Pamela Bondi; Leo Terrell; United States Department of Health and Human Services; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Sean Keveney; National Institutes of Health; Matthew J. Memoli; United States Department of Education; Linda McMahon; Thomas E. Wheeler; United States General Services Administration; Stephen Ehikian; Josh Gruenbaum; United States Attorney's Office Southern District of New York, re: 1 Complaint,,. Document filed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers..(Danjuma, Rodkangyil) Modified on 3/27/2025 (jgo). (Entered: 03/26/2025)	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 RECAP
7	NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Rachel Elizabeth Goodman on behalf of American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers..(Goodman, Rachel) (Entered: 03/26/2025)	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
	Case Opening Initial Assignment Notice	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
	Notice to Attorney Regarding Party Modification	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
	***NOTICE TO ATTORNEY REGARDING PARTY MODIFICATION. Notice to attorney Rodkangyil Orion Danjuma. The party information for the following party/parties has been modified: Pamela Bondi; Leo Terrell; Linda McMahon; Thomas E. Wheeler; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Sean R. Keveney; Matthew J. Memoli; Stephen Ehikian; Josh Gruenbaum. The information for the party/parties has been modified for the following reason/reasons: party text was omitted. (sj)	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
	CASE OPENING INITIAL ASSIGNMENT NOTICE: The above-entitled action is assigned to Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned District Judge, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/judges/district-judges. Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. Please download and review the ECF Rules and Instructions, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-related-instructions..(sj)	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
	Magistrate Judge Gary Stein is designated to handle matters that may be referred in this case. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1) parties are notified that they may consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link: https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf. (sj)	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
	Case Designation	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
	Case Designated ECF. (sj)	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
	Case Designated ECF	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
8	REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to United States Department of Justice; Pamela Bondi; Leo Terrell; United States Department of Health and Human Services; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Sean R. Keveney; National Institutes of Health; Matthew J. Memoli; United States Department of Education; Linda McMahon; Thomas E. Wheeler; United States General Services Administration; Stephen Ehikian; Josh Gruenbaum; United States Attorney's Office Southern District of New York, re: 1 Complaint,,. Document filed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers..(Danjuma, Rodkangyil) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025 RECAP
	Notice to Attorney Regarding Deficient Request for Issuance of Summons	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025 PACER
	***NOTICE TO ATTORNEY REGARDING DEFICIENT REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS. Notice to Attorney Rodkangyil Orion Danjuma to RE-FILE Document No. 6 Request for Issuance of Summons,,. The filing is deficient for the following reason(s): the PDF attached to the docket entry for the issuance of summons is not correct; party name listed on the ECF docket text and the attached rider must match exactly as it appears on the pleading caption Sean Keveney); remove 'et al' from party name listed on rider (United States Department of Justice). Re-file the document using the event type Request for Issuance of Summons found under the event list Service of Process - select the correct filer/filers - and attach the correct summons form PDF. (jgo)	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025 PACER
10	MOTION for Jonathan Rosenthal to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30845455. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Affidavit of Jonathan Rosenthal, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Motion for Admission of Pro Hac Vice).(Rosenthal, Jonathan) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 PACER
11	MOTION for Matthew J. Murray to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30846760. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Matthew J. Murray, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Motion for Admission of Pro Hac Vice).(Murray, Matthew) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 PACER
12	MOTION for Eve H. Cervantez to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30846849. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Eve H. Cervantez, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order Granting Motion for Admission of Pro Hac Vice).(Cervantez, Eve) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 PACER
13	MOTION for Juhyung Harold Lee to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30846940. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Juhyung Harold Lee, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order Granting Motion for Admission of Pro Hac Vice).(Lee, Juhyung) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 PACER
14	MOTION for Stacey M. Leyton to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30847018. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Stacey M. Leyton, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order Granting Motion for Admission of Pro Hac Vice).(Leyton, Stacey) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 PACER
9	ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED as to Pamela Bondi, Stephen Ehikian, Josh Gruenbaum, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, Sean R. Keveney, Linda McMahon, Matthew J. Memoli, National Institutes of Health, Leo Terrell, United States Department of Education, United States Department of Health And Human Services, United States Department of Justice, United States General Services Administration, Thomas E. Wheeler..(jgo) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 RECAP
	Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 PACER
	>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 10 MOTION for Jonathan Rosenthal to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30845455. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 PACER
15	ORDER granting 10 Motion for Jonathan Rosenthal to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil)(Text Only Order) (rz) (Entered: 03/31/2025)	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 PACER
16	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE. All Defendants. Service was made by Mail. Document filed by American Federation of Teachers, American Association of University Professors..(Rosenthal, Jonathan) (Entered: 03/31/2025)	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 PACER
	Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 PACER
	>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 11 MOTION for Matthew J. Murray to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30846760. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc)	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 PACER
	>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 12 MOTION for Eve H. Cervantez to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30846849. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc)	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 PACER
	>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 13 MOTION for Juhyung Harold Lee to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30846940. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc)	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 PACER
	>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 14 MOTION for Stacey M. Leyton to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30847018. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc)	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 PACER
17	ORDER granting 11 Motion for Matthew J Murray to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil)(Text Only Order) (rz) (Entered: 04/01/2025)	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 PACER
18	ORDER granting 12 Motion for Eve H. Cervantez to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil)(Text Only Order) (rz) (Entered: 04/01/2025)	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 PACER
19	ORDER granting 13 Motion for Juhyung Harold Lee to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil)(Text Only Order) (rz) (Entered: 04/01/2025)	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 PACER
20	ORDER granting 14 Motion for Stacey M. Leyton to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil)(Text Only Order) (rz) (Entered: 04/01/2025)	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 PACER
21	LETTER MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages addressed to Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil from Orion Danjuma dated April 2, 2025. Document filed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers..(Danjuma, Rodkangyil) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	April 2, 2025	April 2, 2025 RECAP

Case: American Association of University Professors v. Department of Justice

1:25-cv-02429 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

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