Case: Oregon Council for the Humanities v. United States DOGE Service

3:25-cv-00829 | U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Filed Date: May 15, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenges the alleged illegal termination of grant money for state and jurisdictional humanities councils by the United States DOGE Service. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was established by Congress in 1965 with the declaration that "The arts and the humanities belong to all the people of the United States". The goal was to provide funding for research, publication of scholarly works, and the promotion of the humanities. Congress also created a statutory framework t…

This case challenges the alleged illegal termination of grant money for state and jurisdictional humanities councils by the United States DOGE Service.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was established by Congress in 1965 with the declaration that "The arts and the humanities belong to all the people of the United States". The goal was to provide funding for research, publication of scholarly works, and the promotion of the humanities. Congress also created a statutory framework to protect the agency from political influence. In 1972, Congress amended the NEH statutes to create grants-in-aid programs for each state and territory, which led to the funding of state and jurisdictional humanities councils. The Federation of State Humanities Councils, founded in 1977, is a non-profit organization that includes almost all of the 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils as members. The Federation's mission is to advocate for increased investment in and engagement with this national network, and to support and amplify the work of its members. An example is the Oregon Council for the Humanities (Oregon Humanities), a non-profit corporation created in 1971 to distribute NEH funds for public humanities projects throughout Oregon.

Executive Order 14158, signed on January 20, 2025, by President Trump, created the "United States DOGE Service" (DOGE) as part of the Executive Office of the President. Following the order, the chair of the NEH was directed to resign in March 2025, and the NEH was allegedly instructed to review grants issued since 2021 for potential violations of new executive orders. This review allegedly resulted in the termination of nearly all grants to state and jurisdictional councils in March and April 2025, halting their operations and prompting the filing of this lawsuit.

On May 15, 2025, the Oregon Council for the Humanities and the Federation of State Humanities Councils filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon against DOGE and its Acting Administrator, the NEH and its Acting Chairman, and the National Council on the Humanities. They argued that the termination of the grants violated the National Council on the Humanities' grant statute, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Separation of Powers, and exceeded DOGE's legal authority. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiffs sought an order directing the NEH to follow proper procedures for grant applications and funding, to continue providing funds appropriated by Congress to the Federation's members, and to set aside the unlawful termination of grants. The case was assigned to Judge Michael Howard Simon.

The plaintiffs alleged that DOGE illegally “gutted the NEH and terminated almost all grants issued to the state and jurisdictional councils” without reasoned analysis or proper notice and opportunity to appeal as required by law. They argued that these actions violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Separation of Powers, as Congress, not the President, has the power to create agencies and direct how federal funds are spent. The plaintiffs claimed that the NEH could not refuse to spend funds appropriated by Congress and that the delays and grant terminations caused “irreparable harm” to the Federation and its members, including councils terminating staff, canceling events, and risking permanent closure due to the loss of millions of dollars in already-awarded funding.

The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on June 11, 2025, underscoring the central role of federal grants in their work and including a table of congressional appropriations through 2024 to demonstrate Congress’s ongoing support for the program. The amended complaint also added a new section addressing NEH’s purported “rescission” on June 2 of the 2025 grant terminations, contending that the rescission letters were largely boilerplate, lacked individualized analysis, and still resulted in significant funding cuts while maintaining the rescission of other types of grants. Finally, the amended complaint introduced a new claim for relief under the Impoundment Control Act and the Appropriations Clause, asserting that the grant terminations were ultra vires.

On June 25, 2025, the plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, arguing that they were likely to succeed on the merits. They also claimed that they would suffer irreparable harm without the injunction, citing the need for councils to terminate staff, cancel events, and face potential permanent closure. They also argued that the balance of equities and public interest favored the injunction, as it would prevent unlawful agency action and protect the humanities.

On July 7, 2025, the states of Oregon, Maryland, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‘i, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia filed a brief supporting the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, citing unlawful termination of NEH grants to their humanities councils. The brief emphasized the cultural and legal interests at stake, the councils’ close ties to state governments, and argued the court had jurisdiction because the claims rested on statutory and constitutional grounds, not contract law, making the Tucker Act inapplicable. It supported the plaintiffs’ showing of likely success, irreparable harm, and a public interest in preserving funding, noting specific harms such as program pauses and potential cancellation of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

On August 6, 2025, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, finding that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims, specifically citing violations of the Separation of Powers doctrine, the Impoundment Control Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. 2025 WL 2237478. The court rejected the defendants' argument that they had the discretion to terminate grants, emphasizing that the Executive Branch cannot refuse to spend congressionally appropriated funds. Furthermore, the court agreed that the plaintiffs would suffer irreparable harm without the injunction and that the public interest favored the injunction to prevent unlawful agency action and to protect the humanities.

As of November 22, 2025, the defendants have filed their answer to plaintiffs' amended complaint, and have not yet filed motions regarding the preliminary injunction

The case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Scott Shuchart (5/21/2025)

Jeremiah Price (6/19/2025)

Victoria Tan (8/13/2025)

Sofia Yoder (11/22/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70275737/parties/oregon-council-for-the-humanities-v-united-states-doge-service/

Judge(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Balmer, Paul M. (Oregon)

Nagle, Gracey (Oregon)

Attorney for Defendant

Martin, Sean E. (Oregon)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Howell, Coby Healy (Oregon)

Jamieson, Keith (Oregon)

Judge(s)

Simon, Michael Howard (Oregon)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Balmer, Paul M. (Oregon)

Nagle, Gracey (Oregon)

Sortun, Anna (Oregon)

Wilker, Steven M. (Oregon)

Attorney for Defendant

Martin, Sean E. (Oregon)

Other

Howell, Coby Healy (Oregon)

Jamieson, Keith (Oregon)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 3:25-cv-00829	Complaint	May 15, 2025	May 15, 2025 Complaint
6 3:25-cv-00829	Amended Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief	June 11, 2025	June 11, 2025 Complaint
8 3:25-cv-00829	Memorandum in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
27 3:25-cv-00829	Brief of Amicus Curiae States Of Oregon, Maryland, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut; Delaware, Hawai‘i, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Vermont, And The District Of Columbia in Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction	July 7, 2025	July 7, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
39 3:25-cv-00829	Opinion and Order	Aug. 6, 2025	Aug. 6, 2025 Order/Opinion 2025 WL 2237478

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14217 - Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy President Donald Trump	Declaring that the following federal governmental entities were to be eliminated or reduced in function to the maximus extent consistent with applicable statutes: the Presidio Trust, the Inter-Americ…	Feb. 19, 2025	Feb. 19, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...
EO 14158 - Establishing and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" President Donald Trump	Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President's DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.	Jan. 20, 2025	Jan. 20, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70275737/oregon-council-for-the-humanities-v-united-states-doge-service/

Last updated April 12, 2026, 3:51 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	Complaint. Filing fee in the amount of $405 collected. Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-9849714 Filer is subject to the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 7.1. Jury Trial Requested: No. Filed by Federation of State Humanities Councils, Oregon Council for the Humanities against All Defendants (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Proposed Summons). (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 05/15/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Proposed Summons View on PACER	May 15, 2025	May 15, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	Notice of Case Assignment to Judge Michael H. Simon and Discovery and Pretrial Scheduling Order. NOTICE: Counsel shall print and serve the summonses and all documents issued by the Clerk at the time of filing upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5. Discovery is to be completed by 9/12/2025. Joint Alternate Dispute Resolution Report is due by 10/14/2025. Pretrial Order is due by 10/14/2025. Ordered by Judge Michael H. Simon. (rks) (Entered: 05/15/2025)	May 15, 2025	May 15, 2025
3	Summons Issued Electronically as to United States DOGE Service. NOTICE: Counsel shall print and serve the summonses and all documents issued by the Clerk at the time of filing upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5. (rks) (Entered: 05/15/2025)	May 15, 2025	May 15, 2025
	3 - Discovery and Pretrial Scheduling Order - FORM EVENT	May 15, 2025	May 15, 2025
4	Proposed Summons (Gleason, McDonald, NEH) Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 05/19/2025)	May 19, 2025	May 19, 2025
5	Summons Issued Electronically as to Amy Gleason, Michael McDonald, National Endowment for the Humanities. NOTICE: Counsel shall print and serve the summonses and all documents issued by the Clerk at the time of filing upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5. (rks) (Entered: 05/19/2025)	May 19, 2025	May 19, 2025
6	Amended Complaint for Injunction and Declaratory Relief. Filed by Federation of State Humanities Councils, Oregon Council for the Humanities against Amy Gleason, Michael McDonald, National Endowment for the Humanities, United States DOGE Service (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Redline Comparison of Complaints). (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/11/2025)	June 11, 2025	June 11, 2025 Clearinghouse
7	Motion for Preliminary Injunction . Oral Argument requested. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025 Clearinghouse
8	Memorandum in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025 Clearinghouse
9	Declaration of Rebecca Asmo in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
10	Declaration of Jama Best in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
11	Declaration of Adam Davis in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on PACER 3 Exhibit C View on PACER 4 Exhibit D View on PACER	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025 RECAP
12	Declaration of Jane Doe in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
13	Declaration of Mary Doe in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
14	Declaration of Brandon Johnson in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
15	Declaration of Gabrielle Lyon in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
16	Declaration of Christina Oey in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
17	Declaration of Kameron Perez-Verdia in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025 RECAP
18	Declaration of Stuart Rockoff in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
19	Declaration of Anna Sortun in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
20	Declaration of Phoebe Stein in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025
21	Supplement Unopposed [Proposed] Briefing Schedule for Plaintiffs' Motion for Stay and Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8 .) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/25/2025)	June 25, 2025	June 25, 2025 RECAP
22	SCHEDULING ORDER - The Court ADOPTS Plaintiffs' unopposed briefing schedule (ECF 21 ) as follows: Defendants' response to Plaintiffs' Motion for Stay and Preliminary Injunction (ECF 7 ) is due not later than Tuesday, July 15, 2025; Plaintiffs' reply is due not later than Wednesday, July 30, 2025; and the Court sets oral argument for Monday, August 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Portland, Courtroom 15B, before Judge Michael H. Simon. Ordered by Judge Michael H. Simon. (mja) (Entered: 06/26/2025)	June 26, 2025	June 26, 2025
23	Certificate of Service by All Plaintiffs of Declaration 13, Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7, Declaration 14, Supplement, 21, Declaration, 19, Declaration 16, Memorandum in Support of Motion 8, Declaration, 20, Declaration, 17, Declaration 15, Declaration, 12, Declaration 18, Declaration, 11, Declaration 9, Declaration 10 Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 06/26/2025)	June 26, 2025	June 26, 2025
	1 - Scheduling	June 26, 2025	June 26, 2025
24	Motion for Leave to Appear and File an Amicus Curiae Brief. Filed by State of Oregon, State of Maryland, State of Washington, State of Arizona, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Delaware, State of Hawaii, State of Maine, State of Michigan, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Rhode Island, State of Wisconsin, State of Vermont, District of Columbia. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1) (Howell, Coby) (Entered: 07/02/2025)	July 2, 2025	July 2, 2025
25	ORDER - The Court GRANTS the Amici States' motion for leave to appear and file an amicus brief in support of Plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction (ECF 24 ). Ordered by Judge Michael H. Simon. (mja) (Entered: 07/02/2025)	July 2, 2025	July 2, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave	July 2, 2025	July 2, 2025
26	Notice of Appearance of Coby Healy Howell appearing on behalf of State of Oregon. Filed by on behalf of State of Oregon. (Howell, Coby) (Entered: 07/07/2025)	July 7, 2025	July 7, 2025
27	Brief of Amicus Curiae States in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by State of Maryland, State of Oregon, State of Washington. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7 .) (Howell, Coby) (Entered: 07/07/2025)	July 7, 2025	July 7, 2025 Clearinghouse
28	Notice of Appearance of Keith Jamieson appearing on behalf of State of Maryland. Filed by on behalf of State of Maryland. (Jamieson, Keith) (Entered: 07/10/2025)	July 10, 2025	July 10, 2025
29	Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Amended Complaint, 6 . Filed by All Defendants. (Martin, Sean) (Entered: 07/15/2025)	July 15, 2025	July 15, 2025
30	ORDER - The Court GRANTS Defendants' unopposed motion for extension of time to answer, ECF 29 . Defendants' answer or other responsive pleading is due not later than August 19, 2025. Ordered by Judge Michael H. Simon. (mja) (Entered: 07/15/2025)	July 15, 2025	July 15, 2025
31	Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7 . Filed by All Defendants. (Martin, Sean) (Entered: 07/15/2025)	July 15, 2025	July 15, 2025 RECAP
32	Declaration of Michael McDonald . Filed by All Defendants. (Related document(s): Response to Motion 31 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E) (Martin, Sean) (Entered: 07/15/2025) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER 2 Exhibit B View on PACER 3 Exhibit C View on PACER 4 Exhibit D View on PACER 5 Exhibit E View on PACER	July 15, 2025	July 15, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer a Complaint/Petition	July 15, 2025	July 15, 2025
33	Return of Service Executed as to Amy Gleason served on 5/27/2025, answer due on 7/28/2025; Michael McDonald served on 5/27/2025, answer due on 7/28/2025; National Endowment for the Humanities served on 5/27/2025, answer due on 7/28/2025; United States DOGE Service served on 6/3/2025, answer due on 8/4/2025. Service specifically made upon U.S. Attorney General. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
34	Reply in Support to Motion for Preliminary Injunction 7 . Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 07/30/2025)	July 30, 2025	July 30, 2025 RECAP
35	Declaration of Anna Sortun in Support of Plaintiffs' Reply to Motion for 5 U.S.C. § 705 Stay and Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Reply to Motion 34 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 07/30/2025)	July 30, 2025	July 30, 2025
36	Declaration of Stuart Rockoff in Support of Plaintiffs' Reply to Motion for 5 U.S.C. § 705 Stay and Preliminary Injunction. Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Related document(s): Reply to Motion 34 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A) (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 07/30/2025)	July 30, 2025	July 30, 2025
37	Notice Filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B) (Martin, Sean) (Entered: 08/01/2025) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER 2 Exhibit B View on PACER	Aug. 1, 2025	Aug. 1, 2025 RECAP
38	MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: ORDER - The Court takes under advisement Plaintiffs' Motion for Stay and Preliminary Injunction (ECF 7 ) on Monday, August 4, 2025. Anna Sortun and Steven Wilker present as counsel for Plaintiffs. Sean E. Martin present as counsel for Defendants. Coby Healy Howell and Brian Marshall present as counsel for Amicus State of Oregon. Court Reporter: Dennis Apodaca. Judge Michael H. Simon presiding. (mja) (Entered: 08/04/2025)	Aug. 4, 2025	Aug. 4, 2025
	Motion Hearing Held AND Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction	Aug. 4, 2025	Aug. 4, 2025
39	Opinion and Order - The Court GRANTS IN PART Plaintiffs' Motion for a 5 U.S.C. § 705 Stay and Preliminary Injunction (ECF 7 ), as stated in this Opinion and Order. Signed on 8/6/2025 by Judge Michael H. Simon. (mja)	Aug. 6, 2025	Aug. 6, 2025 Clearinghouse
40	Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Amended Complaint, 6 . Filed by All Defendants. (Martin, Sean) (Entered: 08/18/2025)	Aug. 18, 2025	Aug. 18, 2025
41	ORDER: Granting Defendants' Motion for Extension of Time to Answer 40 . Answer is due by 9/2/2025. Ordered by Judge Michael H. Simon. (jp) (Entered: 08/19/2025)	Aug. 19, 2025	Aug. 19, 2025
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer a Complaint/Petition	Aug. 19, 2025	Aug. 19, 2025
42	Answer to 6 Amended Complaint, . Filed by United States DOGE Service, National Endowment for the Humanities, Amy Gleason, Michael McDonald, National Council on the Humanities. (Martin, Sean) (Entered: 09/02/2025)	Sept. 2, 2025	Sept. 2, 2025
43	Joint Status Report . Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 01/16/2026)	Jan. 16, 2026	Jan. 16, 2026
44	SCHEDULING ORDER - The Court ADOPTS the deadlines outlined in the parties' Joint Status Report (ECF 43 ) as follows: (1) Defendants will lodge the administrative record with the Court not later than January 30, 2026; (2) Joint status report is due not later than February 13, 2026; (3) Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment is due not later than March 20, 2026; (4) Defendants' response and cross motion for summary judgment is due not later than April 17, 2026; (5) Plaintiffs' reply and response to cross motion for summary judgment is due not later than May 1, 2026; and (6) Defendants' reply in support of any cross motion for summary judgment is due not later than May 15, 2026. Ordered by Judge Michael H. Simon. (mja) (Entered: 01/16/2026)	Jan. 16, 2026	Jan. 16, 2026
	1 - Scheduling	Jan. 16, 2026	Jan. 16, 2026
45	Notice of Lodging of the Administrative Record. The administrative record will be separately lodged and is not included in this entry. Filed by Amy Gleason, Michael McDonald, National Council on the Humanities, National Endowment for the Humanities, United States DOGE Service. (Attachments: # 1 Index Administrative Record Index) (Martin, Sean) (Entered: 01/30/2026)	Jan. 30, 2026	Jan. 30, 2026
46	Administrative Record, This filing includes a conventionally filed CD. This conventional filing is maintained in the Clerk's Office but cannot be made a part of the court's electronic record in CM/ECF. Filed by Amy Gleason, Michael McDonald, National Council on the Humanities, National Endowment for the Humanities, United States DOGE Service. (rks) (Entered: 01/30/2026)	Jan. 30, 2026	Jan. 30, 2026
47	Joint Status Report . Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 02/17/2026)	Feb. 17, 2026	Feb. 17, 2026 RECAP
48	Notice of Lodging of the Administrative Record. The administrative record will be separately lodged and is not included in this entry. Filed by Amy Gleason, Michael McDonald, National Council on the Humanities, National Endowment for the Humanities, United States DOGE Service. (Attachments: # 1 Index Supplemental Administrative Record Index) (Martin, Sean) (Entered: 02/25/2026)	Feb. 25, 2026	Feb. 25, 2026
49	Supplemental Administrative Record . Filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Volume(s) NEH_000424-NEH_000774) (Martin, Sean) (Entered: 02/25/2026) 1 Volume(s) NEH_000424-NEH_000774 View on PACER	Feb. 25, 2026	Feb. 25, 2026
50	Joint Status Report . Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 03/03/2026)	March 3, 2026	March 3, 2026 RECAP
51	SCHEDULING ORDER - The Court ADOPTS the deadlines outlined in the parties' Joint Status Report on Administrative Record (ECF 50 ) as follows: (1) Plaintiffs' motion to file supplemental complaint, if any, is due not later than March 20, 2026; (2) Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment on extant complaint and AR is due not later than April 17, 2026; (3) Defendants' response to Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment and cross motion for summary judgment are due not later than May 15, 2026; (4) Plaintiffs' reply in support of motion for summary judgment and response to cross motion for summary judgment are due not later than May 29, 2026; (5) Defendants' reply in support of any cross motion is due not later than June 12, 2026. and (6) Oral argument will be set at a later date. Ordered by Judge Michael H. Simon. (mja) (Entered: 03/05/2026)	March 5, 2026	March 5, 2026
	1 - Scheduling	March 5, 2026	March 5, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Oregon

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Grant/Contract rescissions, Defunding or Other Threats against Private Entities

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 15, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A state NEH grantee and a national council of state grantee agencies

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

National Council on the Humanities

U.S. DOGE Service

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Separation of Powers

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Other Dockets:

District of Oregon 3:25-cv-00829

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)

Impoundment (mandatory spending)

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Oregon Council for the Humanities v. United States DOGE Service, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46602/ (last updated 11/22/2025).