Case: American Library Association v. Sonderling

1:25-cv-01050 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: April 7, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On April 7, 2025, the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (AFSCME) filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency tasked with supporting library and museum services nationwide. The defendants include the Institute of Museum and Library Services and its Acting Di…

The plaintiffs challenged Executive Order 14238, titled “Continuing Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy," and signed on March 14, 2025, which directed the Institute of Museum and Library Services and other federal agencies to eliminate all programs and terminate all staff not required by statute. After the EO was issued, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gutted the Institute of Museum and Library Services, terminating nearly all employees and canceling its grants. The plaintiffs allege that the defendant's actions violated the Separation of Powers, the Take Care Clause, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the First Amendment. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief to stop the dismantling of IMLS, reinstate its grants and staff, restore agency functions and access to appropriated funds, and bar the defendants from dissolving IMLS absent Congress's authorization. The case is assigned to District Judge Richard J. Leon.

The plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction; the court decided to consider a temporary restraining order first, while it consider the preliminary injunction request. After a hearing on April 30, 2025, the court granted a temporary restraining order on May 1, finding:

"the wholesale termination of grants and services and the mass layoffs appear to violate the clear statutory mandates outlined in the MLSA [Museum and Library Services Act] See, e.g., 20 U.S.C. § 9103(a)(3) (The Director "shall be appointed from among individuals who have special competence with regard to library and information services" or "special competence with regard to museum services"); id. § 9108(a) ("The Director shall regularly support and conduct, as appropriate, policy research, data collection, analysis and modeling, evaluation, and dissemination of information to extend and improve the Nation's museum, library, and information services."); id.§ 9131(b) ("From the sums appropriated ... the Director shall award grants from minimum allotments [ of $680,000] . . . to each State."); id. § 9161 ("[T]he Director shall award grants to Indian tribes and to organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians."); id. § 9162(a) ("[T]he Director shall establish and carry out a program to enhance the quality of library services nationwide and to provide coordination between libraries and museums .... "). Moreover, defendants' conduct contravenes Congress's appropriation of almost $300 million to IMLS. Plaintiffs are therefore likely to succeed in showing that defendants' actions to unilaterally shutter IMLS violate, at minimum, the Administrative Procedure Act.

Moreover, the court found that plaintiffs have provided evidence of significant and irreparable injury -- "that the grant terminations, loss of access to IMLS expertise and services, and loss of access to IMLS data have forced libraries to end programs midstream, fire employees, and, in some cases, completely shutter."

Accordingly, the court enjoined any further diminution of MLS's capacity while the preliminary injunction request was pending. On May 6, defendants filed a motion for reconsideration of the court's TRO order, citing the D.C. Circuit's May 3 decision to stay an analogous order in a similar case, Widakuswara v. Lake.

The following day, the court extended the TRO until May 29 to allow additional time for briefing and argument.

On May 21, the court noted that the D.C. Circuit's pending en banc review in Widakuswara involved issues directly relevant to this case. To avoid issuing a premature ruling on the PI, the court ordered the parties to indicate by May 23, 2025, whether they consented to extending the TRO pending resolution of the injunction motion. The parties submitted their respective responses, with defendants objecting to the extension and plaintiffs consenting to it. The TRO expired on May 29, 2025.

On June 2, plaintiffs filed a motion for a narrow TRO prohibiting defendants from further pausing, canceling, or otherwise terminating IMLS grants or contracts, or from withholding disbursement of funds in accordance with such grants or contracts. In the alternative, plaintiffs requested that the court rule on their motion for a PI within seven days.

On June 6, the court denied plaintiffs' motion for a PI, citing recent indications from the Supreme Court and Circuit Judges that actions seeking reinstatement of federal grants fall within the jurisdiction of the Court of Federal Claims rather than the district courts. It further ordered the parties to file a joint status report proposing next steps by June 13, 2025, and denied plaintiffs' June 2 motion as moot.

The parties filed a joint status report on June 13, outlining defendants' intention to file a motion to dismiss and plaintiffs' proposal to proceed with expedited summary judgment briefing.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Nicole Brigstock (4/22/2025)

Emma Vayda (6/27/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69856318/parties/american-library-association-v-sonderling/

Judge(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Blumin, Matthew Stark (District of Columbia)

Boisture, Pooja (District of Columbia)

Dedinas, Vilia M (District of Columbia)

Economos, Orlando (District of Columbia)

Fried, Rachel L. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Judge(s)

Leon, Richard J. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Blumin, Matthew Stark (District of Columbia)

Boisture, Pooja (District of Columbia)

Dedinas, Vilia M (District of Columbia)

Economos, Orlando (District of Columbia)

Fried, Rachel L. (District of Columbia)

Gair, Chris (District of Columbia)

Gallo, John N. (District of Columbia)

Kaufman, Kayla Minton (District of Columbia)

Thurston, Robin F. (District of Columbia)

Yin, Ingrid (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Gonzalez, Heidy L (District of Columbia)

Heiman, Julia Alexandra (District of Columbia)

Stout, Abigail (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:25-cv-01050	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	April 7, 2025	April 7, 2025 Complaint
1-6 1:25-cv-01050	Summons in Civil Action	April 7, 2025	April 7, 2025 Correspondence
13 1:25-cv-01050	Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
13-3 1:25-cv-01050	Exhibit A: Email Regarding IMLS Staff	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 Correspondence
13-1 1:25-cv-01050	Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
21 1:25-cv-01050	Defendants' Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction	April 21, 2025	April 21, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
33-6 1:25-cv-01050	[Proposed] Order Granting Plaintiffs’ Motion for Leave to Supplement the Record	April 28, 2025	April 28, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
33-2 1:25-cv-01050	Exhibit A: Institute of Museum and Library Services Action Memorandum and Notice of Grant Termination	April 28, 2025	April 28, 2025 Correspondence
36 1:25-cv-01050	Memorandum Order	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025 Order/Opinion 2025 WL 1262054
38 1:25-cv-01050	Defendants' Motion for Reconsideration of the May 1, 2025, Memorandum Order and Notice of Supplemental Authority	May 6, 2025	May 6, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14238 - Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy President Donald Trump	Directing that the non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental agencies be eliminated: the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; the United States Agency for Global Med…	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69856318/american-library-association-v-sonderling/

Last updated Aug. 21, 2025, 9:19 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11596866) filed by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons, # 9 Summons)(Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/07/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER 3 Summons View on RECAP 4 Summons View on PACER 5 Summons View on PACER 6 Summons View on RECAP 7 Summons View on PACER 8 Summons View on PACER 9 Summons View on PACER	April 7, 2025	April 7, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	NOTICE of Appearance by Rachel L. Fried on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/07/2025)	April 7, 2025	April 7, 2025 PACER
3	NOTICE of Appearance by Kayla Minton Kaufman on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Minton Kaufman, Kayla) (Main Document 3 replaced on 4/8/2025) (mg). (Entered: 04/07/2025)	April 7, 2025	April 7, 2025 PACER
4	NOTICE of Appearance by Orlando Economos on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Economos, Orlando) (Main Document 4 replaced on 4/8/2025) (mg). (Entered: 04/07/2025)	April 7, 2025	April 7, 2025 PACER
5	NOTICE of Appearance by Robin F. Thurston on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Thurston, Robin) (Main Document 5 replaced on 4/8/2025) (mg). (Entered: 04/07/2025)	April 7, 2025	April 7, 2025 PACER
10	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Vilia M. Dedinas, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11599458. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit)(Fried, Rachel) (Attachment 1 replaced on 4/9/2025) (mg). (Entered: 04/08/2025)	April 8, 2025	April 8, 2025 PACER
6	ERRATA by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION re 1 Complaint,,. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons, # 9 Summons, # 10 Summons)(Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/08/2025) 1 Summons View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER 3 Summons View on PACER 4 Summons View on PACER 5 Summons View on PACER 6 Summons View on PACER 7 Summons View on RECAP 8 Summons View on PACER 9 Summons View on PACER 10 Summons View on PACER	April 8, 2025	April 8, 2025 RECAP
7	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Chris C. Gair, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11599308. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit)(Fried, Rachel) (Attachment 1 replaced on 4/9/2025) (mg). (Entered: 04/08/2025)	April 8, 2025	April 8, 2025 PACER
8	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Ingrid Yin, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11599391. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit)(Fried, Rachel) (Attachment 1 replaced on 4/9/2025) (mg). (Entered: 04/08/2025)	April 8, 2025	April 8, 2025 PACER
9	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- John N. Gallo, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11599437. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit)(Fried, Rachel) (Attachment 1 replaced on 4/9/2025) (mg). (Entered: 04/08/2025)	April 8, 2025	April 8, 2025 PACER
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	April 8, 2025	April 8, 2025 PACER
	Case Assigned to Judge Richard J. Leon. (zsl)	April 8, 2025	April 8, 2025 PACER
11	SUMMONS (10) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zljn) (Entered: 04/09/2025)	April 9, 2025	April 9, 2025 PACER
12	NOTICE of Appearance by Heidy L Gonzalez on behalf of All Defendants (Gonzalez, Heidy) (Entered: 04/10/2025)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 RECAP
13	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration Alan Inouye, # 3 Exhibit A, # 4 Exhibit B, # 5 Exhibit C, # 6 Exhibit D, # 7 Exhibit E, # 8 Declaration Rita Adams, # 9 Declaration Elizabeth Bradley, # 10 Declaration Carl Cooper, # 11 Declaration Mary Davis Fournier, # 12 Declaration Tiffany Jacobson, # 13 Declaration Homa Naficy, # 14 Declaration James Neal, # 15 Declaration Dana Newman, # 16 Declaration Carrie Willson, # 17 Declaration Jane Billinger, # 18 Declaration Robert Francis, # 19 Declaration Yonah Gaber, # 20 Declaration Patrick Johnston, # 21 Text of Proposed Order)(Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/10/2025) 1 Memorandum in Support View on RECAP 2 Declaration Alan Inouye View on PACER 3 Exhibit A View on RECAP 4 Exhibit B View on RECAP 5 Exhibit C View on PACER 6 Exhibit D View on PACER 7 Exhibit E View on PACER 8 Declaration Rita Adams View on RECAP 9 Declaration Elizabeth Bradley View on PACER 10 Declaration Carl Cooper View on PACER 11 Declaration Mary Davis Fournier View on PACER 12 Declaration Tiffany Jacobson View on PACER 13 Declaration Homa Naficy View on PACER 14 Declaration James Neal View on RECAP 15 Declaration Dana Newman View on PACER 16 Declaration Carrie Willson View on PACER 17 Declaration Jane Billinger View on PACER 18 Declaration Robert Francis View on RECAP 19 Declaration Yonah Gaber View on RECAP 20 Declaration Patrick Johnston View on RECAP 21 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 Clearinghouse
	MINUTE ORDER granting 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. It is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED and that Chris C. Gair be, and hereby is, admitted pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 4/10/2025. (lcrjl1)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER granting 8 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. It is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED and that Ingrid Yin be, and hereby is, admitted pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 4/10/2025. (lcrjl1)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER granting 9 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. It is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED and that John N. Gallo be, and hereby is, admitted pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 4/10/2025. (lcrjl1)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER granting 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. It is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED and that Vilia M. Dedinas be, and hereby is, admitted pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 4/10/2025. (lcrjl1)	April 10, 2025	April 10, 2025 PACER
14	NOTICE of Appearance by Chris Gair on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Gair, Chris) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 RECAP
15	NOTICE of Appearance by John N. Gallo on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Gallo, John) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 PACER
16	NOTICE of Appearance by Vilia M Dedinas on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Dedinas, Vilia) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 PACER
17	NOTICE of Appearance by Ingrid Yin on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Yin, Ingrid) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 RECAP
18	NOTICE of Appearance by Julia Alexandra Heiman on behalf of All Defendants (Heiman, Julia) (Entered: 04/16/2025)	April 16, 2025	April 16, 2025 PACER
19	PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE re 13 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Joint Proposed Briefing Schedule by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Heiman, Julia) (Entered: 04/16/2025)	April 16, 2025	April 16, 2025 RECAP
20	MOTION for Leave to File Supplement the Record by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Alex Albright, # 2 Declaration John Dichtl, # 3 Declaration Steve Potash, # 4 Text of Proposed Order)(Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/17/2025) 1 Declaration Alex Albright View on RECAP 2 Declaration John Dichtl View on PACER 3 Declaration Steve Potash View on PACER 4 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	April 17, 2025	April 17, 2025 RECAP
	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings	April 17, 2025	April 17, 2025 PACER
	Order	April 17, 2025	April 17, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 19 Joint Proposed Briefing Schedule, it is hereby ORDERED that defendants' opposition to plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction is due by April 21, 2025 by midnight, and plaintiffs' reply in support of their motion is due April 28, 2025 by 10:00 AM. It is further ORDERED that a hearing on plaintiffs' motion is set for April 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM in Courtroom 18 (In Person) before Judge Richard J. Leon. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 4/17/2025. (lcrjl1)	April 17, 2025	April 17, 2025 PACER
21	RESPONSE re 13 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Gonzalez, Heidy) (Entered: 04/21/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	April 21, 2025	April 21, 2025 Clearinghouse
22	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. DONALD TRUMP served on 4/21/2025 (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
23	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DOGE SERVICE served on 4/21/2025 (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
24	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION served on 4/17/2025 (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
25	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. KEITH SONDERLING served on 4/17/2025 (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
26	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET served on 4/17/2025 (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
27	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. RUSSELL VOUGHT served on 4/17/2025 (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
28	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES served on 4/17/2025 (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
29	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. AMY GLEASON served on 4/17/2025 (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
30	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 04/17/2025. (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
31	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 4/17/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 6/16/2025. (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/22/2025)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to File	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of plaintiffs' 20 Motion for Leave to Supplement the Record, and for good cause shown, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 4/22/2025. (lcrjl1)	April 22, 2025	April 22, 2025 PACER
32	NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Stark Blumin on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Blumin, Matthew) (Entered: 04/24/2025)	April 24, 2025	April 24, 2025 PACER
33	MOTION for Leave to File Supplement to the Record by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Alan Inouye (supplemental), # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Declaration Alex Albright (supplemental), # 5 Declaration Elizabeth Bradley (supplemental), # 6 Text of Proposed Order)(Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/28/2025) 1 Declaration Alan Inouye (supplemental) View on RECAP 2 Exhibit A View on RECAP 3 Exhibit B View on PACER 4 Declaration Alex Albright (supplemental) View on PACER 5 Declaration Elizabeth Bradley (supplemental) View on PACER 6 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	April 28, 2025	April 28, 2025 RECAP
34	REPLY to opposition to motion re 13 Motion for Preliminary Injunction,,, filed by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 04/28/2025)	April 28, 2025	April 28, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion for Leave to File	April 28, 2025	April 28, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 33 Motion for Leave to Supplement the Record, and for good cause shown, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 4/28/2025. (lcrjl1)	April 28, 2025	April 28, 2025 PACER
35	NOTICE of Appearance by Abigail Stout on behalf of All Defendants (Stout, Abigail) (Entered: 04/30/2025)	April 30, 2025	April 30, 2025 RECAP
	Motion Hearing	April 30, 2025	April 30, 2025 PACER
	Minute Entry for Motion Hearing held on 4/30/2025 before Judge Richard J. Leon: re 13 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction. Oral request to convert Motion for Preliminary Injunction to a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, GRANTED. Oral arguments heard and TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT. Court Reporter: Chandra Kean. (smc)	April 30, 2025	April 30, 2025 PACER
36	MEMORANDUM ORDER granting in part and denying in part plaintiffs' 13 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order. The motion was originally filed as a motion for a preliminary injunction ("PI"), but on plaintiffs' oral motion the Court converted the motion into a motion for a temporary restraining order ("TRO"). Min. Entry (Apr. 30, 2025). The attached Memorandum Order rules on the TRO. Consistent with the attached, the parties shall file a joint status report by May 6, 2025 (1) informing the Court whether the parties require any supplemental briefing on the PI and, if so, proposing a briefing schedule; and (2) stating whether the parties consent to the Court extending this TRO until the Court issues a ruling on the PI or the case is otherwise resolved. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 5/1/2025. (lcrjl1) Modified on 5/2/2025 (zsmc). (Entered: 05/01/2025)	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025 Clearinghouse
37	Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 05/06/2025)	May 6, 2025	May 6, 2025 RECAP
38	MOTION for Reconsideration re 36 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction,,,, Set/Reset Deadlines,,, and Notice of Supplemental Authority by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Heiman, Julia) (Entered: 05/06/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	May 6, 2025	May 6, 2025 Clearinghouse
41	NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORITY by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT (See docket entry 38 to view document)(mg) (Entered: 05/14/2025)	May 6, 2025	May 6, 2025 PACER
	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines	May 7, 2025	May 7, 2025 PACER
	Order	May 7, 2025	May 7, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. On May 6, 2025, the parties filed a 37 Joint Status Report and defendants filed a 38 Motion for Reconsideration. It is hereby ORDERED that by May 13, 2025, plaintiffs shall file (1) their supplemental briefing on the motion for a preliminary injunction, which shall include the additional facts and supplemental authorities referenced in the Joint Status Report; and (2) their response to defendants' motion for reconsideration. By May 16, 2025, defendants shall file (1) their response to plaintiffs' supplemental briefing; and (2) their reply, if any, in support of the motion for reconsideration. It is further ORDERED that the temporary restraining order issued on May 1, 2025, Mem. Order [Dkt. #36], is extended to May 29, 2025. The Court finds good cause for this 14-day extension in light of the dynamic nature of this case, the pending briefing on two different motions, and the importance of the issues at stake. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 5/7/2025. (lcrjl1)	May 7, 2025	May 7, 2025 PACER
39	RESPONSE re 38 MOTION for Reconsideration re 36 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction,,,, Set/Reset Deadlines,,, and Notice of Supplemental Authority filed by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Economos, Orlando) (Entered: 05/13/2025)	May 13, 2025	May 13, 2025 RECAP
40	SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM to re 13 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Declaration)(Economos, Orlando) (Entered: 05/13/2025) 1 Declaration View on RECAP 2 Declaration View on RECAP	May 13, 2025	May 13, 2025 RECAP
	Notice of Supplemental Authority	May 14, 2025	May 14, 2025 PACER
42	REPLY to opposition to motion re 38 Motion for Reconsideration, filed by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Heiman, Julia) (Entered: 05/16/2025)	May 16, 2025	May 16, 2025 RECAP
	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings	May 21, 2025	May 21, 2025 PACER
	Order	May 21, 2025	May 21, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. On May 1, 2025, this Court issued a temporary restraining order. Mem. Order [Dkt. #36]. The Court then extended that temporary restraining order until May 29, 2025, so the Court could consider the parties' briefing on the pending Motion for a Preliminary Injunction and Motion for Reconsideration. Min. Order (May 7, 2025). As defendants flag in their Motion for Reconsideration, our Circuit is, in a different case, currently considering issues highly relevant to this case. See Widakuswara v. Lake, No. 25-5144, 2025 WL 1288817 (D.C. Cir. May 3, 2025), administratively stayed in part, petition for rehearing en banc pending. Our Circuit issued an opinion in Widakuswara on May 3, but that opinion has been stayed pending a petition for rehearing en banc. The Court finds that it would be highly inefficient to rush to a decision on plaintiffs' preliminary injunction before our Circuit's decision on whether to rehear Widakuswara en banc. It is therefore ORDERED that the parties shall inform the Court no later than May 23, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. as to whether they consent to the Court extending the temporary restraining order until the Court rules on the pending motion for a preliminary injunction or this case is otherwise resolved. An extension will allow our Circuit to resolve outstanding questions relevant to this case and will therefore promote judicial economy. Should either party decline to consent to the extension, that party shall (1) explain the basis for its decision; and (2) state whether it consents to a shorter extension. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 5/21/2025. (lcrjl1)	May 21, 2025	May 21, 2025 PACER
43	RESPONSE TO ORDER OF THE COURT re 5/21/2025 MINUTE Order by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Fried, Rachel) Modified event on 5/27/2025 (mg). (Entered: 05/23/2025)	May 23, 2025	May 23, 2025 Clearinghouse
44	RESPONSE TO ORDER OF THE COURT re 5/21/2025 MINUTE Order by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT re Order,,,,,,, Set Deadlines/Hearings,,,,,, (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D)(Gonzalez, Heidy) Modified event on 5/27/2025 (mg). (Entered: 05/23/2025) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER 2 Exhibit B View on PACER 3 Exhibit C View on PACER 4 Exhibit D View on PACER	May 23, 2025	May 23, 2025 Clearinghouse
45	MOTION for Leave to File Response to Defendants' Objection to Extension of TRO by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 05/28/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	May 28, 2025	May 28, 2025 RECAP
46	MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Fried, Rachel) (Entered: 06/02/2025) 1 Memorandum in Support View on RECAP 2 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025 Clearinghouse
47	RESPONSE re 46 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Proposed Order)(Gonzalez, Heidy) (Entered: 06/06/2025) 1 Exhibit Proposed Order View on PACER	June 6, 2025	June 6, 2025 RECAP
48	MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 6/6/2025. (lcrjl1) (Entered: 06/06/2025)	June 6, 2025	June 6, 2025 Clearinghouse
49	ORDER. Consistent with the attached, plaintiffs' 13 Motion for a Preliminary Injunction is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE and defendants' 38 Motion for Reconsideration of the May 1, 2025 Memorandum Order is DENIED AS MOOT. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall file a joint status report proposing next steps by June 13, 2025. See attached Order for details. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 6/6/2025. (lcrjl1) (Entered: 06/06/2025)	June 6, 2025	June 6, 2025 Clearinghouse
	Order on Motion for Leave to File	June 6, 2025	June 6, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for TRO	June 6, 2025	June 6, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of plaintiffs' unopposed 45 Motion for Leave to Respond to Defendant's Objection to an Extension of the Court's Temporary Restraining Order, and for good cause shown, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. Plaintiffs' response included in the 45 Motion is deemed filed. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 6/6/2025. (lcrjl1)	June 6, 2025	June 6, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. In light of the Court's 48 Memorandum Opinion and 49 Order denying plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, it is hereby ORDERED that plaintiffs' 46 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, which seeks in the alternative a ruling plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, is DENIED AS MOOT. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 6/6/2025. (lcrjl1)	June 6, 2025	June 6, 2025 PACER
50	Joint STATUS REPORT by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Gonzalez, Heidy) (Entered: 06/13/2025)	June 13, 2025	June 13, 2025 Clearinghouse
51	MOTION to Continue Defendants' Obligation to Respond to Plaintiffs' Complaint by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Heiman, Julia) (Entered: 06/16/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	June 16, 2025	June 16, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion to Continue AND Set/Reset Deadlines	June 17, 2025	June 17, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion to Continue	June 17, 2025	June 17, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 50 Joint Status Report and defendants' 51 Motion for a Continuance of their Obligation to Respond to Plaintiffs' Complaint, it is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED and the Court sets the following schedule for dispositive motions in this case: defendants' response to the Complaint is due June 30, 2025; defendants must produce the administrative record by July 15, 2025; plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment is due August 5, 2025; defendants' combined opposition and any cross-motion is due August 26, 2025; plaintiffs' combined reply and response to defendants' cross-motion is due September 9, 2025; and defendants' reply in support of their cross-motion is due September 23, 2025. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 6/17/2025. (lcrjl1)	June 17, 2025	June 17, 2025 PACER
	Set/Reset Deadlines	June 26, 2025	June 26, 2025 PACER
	Set/Reset Deadlines: Reply in Support to Cross Motions due by 9/23/2025. (zljn)	June 26, 2025	June 26, 2025 PACER
52	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to the Complaint to Coincide with Defendants' Forthcoming Summary Judgment Motion by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Heiman, Julia) (Entered: 06/27/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	June 27, 2025	June 27, 2025 PACER
53	ORDER granting defendants' 52 Unopposed Motion to Extend the Deadline for Their Response to the Complaint. Consistent with the attached, plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment is due August 5, 2025. Defendants' combined opposition, cross-motion for summary judgment, and motion to dismiss are due 8/26/2025. Plaintiffs' combined reply and response to defendants' cross-motion for summary judgment and motion to dismiss are due September 9, 2025. Defendants' reply in support of their cross-motion for summary judgment and motion to dismiss are due September 23, 2025. See attached for details. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 7/1/2025. (lcrjl1) (Entered: 07/01/2025)	July 1, 2025	July 1, 2025 RECAP
54	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Pooja A. Boisture, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11819467. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Fried, Rachel) (Attachment 1 replaced on 7/16/2025) (mg). (Entered: 07/15/2025)	July 15, 2025	July 15, 2025 PACER
55	NOTICE of Filing Certified Index to the Administrative Record by AMY GLEASON, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, KEITH SONDERLING, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. DOGE SERVICE, U.S. DOGE SERVICE TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION, U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT (Attachments: # 1 Certified Index to the Administrative Record Documents)(Heiman, Julia) (Entered: 07/15/2025) 1 Certified Index to the Administrative Record Documents View on PACER	July 15, 2025	July 15, 2025 PACER
56	NOTICE of Appearance by Pooja Boisture on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Boisture, Pooja) (Main Document 56 replaced on 7/29/2025) (znmw). (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 54 Motion for Admission of Pooja A. Boisture Pro Hac Vice, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED and that Pooja A. Boisture be, and hereby is, admitted pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 7/28/2025. (lcrjl1)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025 PACER
57	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgement by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Boisture, Pooja) (Entered: 07/29/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File AND Set/Reset Deadlines	Aug. 1, 2025	Aug. 1, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File	Aug. 1, 2025	Aug. 1, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of plaintiffs' 57 Unopposed Motion for an Extension of Time to File Motion for Summary Judgment, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment is due September 5, 2025. Defendants' combined opposition, cross-motion for summary judgment, and motion to dismiss is due October 3, 2025. Plaintiffs' combined reply and response to defendants' cross-motion for summary judgment and motion to dismiss is due October 24, 2025. Defendants' reply in support of their cross-motion for summary judgment and motion to dismiss is due November 7, 2025. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Richard J. Leon on 8/1/2025. (lcrjl1)	Aug. 1, 2025	Aug. 1, 2025 PACER

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Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

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)

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 7, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

American Library Association (ALA) is a non-profit membership organization that promotes library services and librarianship and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO (AFSCME) is a national labor organization the largest trade union of public employees in the U.S.

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

United States of America, Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide