Case: Washington State Medical Association v. Kennedy
2:25-cv-00955 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Filed Date: May 20, 2025
Closed Date: Nov. 25, 2025
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenged the removal of large amounts of public health data and resources from government websites, prompted by two of the Trump administration's executive orders targeting "gender ideology" and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (DEI).
On May 20, 2025, nine healthcare organizations filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Offices of Personnel Management, and their various agency heads. The plaintiffs challenged the widespread deletion of public health resources from federal websites, apparently prompted by executive orders targeting transgender people and DEI initiatives. They alleged that Defendants' actions violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Public Health Service Act, the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early Act, and the Separation of Powers. The plaintiffs requested a declaration that the defendants' actions were unlawful, as well as preliminary and permanent injunctions requiring the replacement of the resources, and attorney fees. The case was assigned to District Judge Lauren King.
The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on July 25, adding factual details that had occurred after the original complaint was filed.
On August 15, the plaintiffs and defendants filed a stipulated motion to stay all proceedings for 45 days, stating that they reached an agreement and required time to finalize a settlement. The court granted the motion on the same day.
The parties notified the court that they reached a final settlement, and the court promptly dismissed the case with prejudice on September 26, 2025.
This case is closed.
Summary Authors
Ayah Elsheikh (12/1/2025)
Scott Shuchart (5/22/2025)
Jeremiah Price (7/9/2025)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70318031/parties/washington-state-medical-association-v-kennedy/
Floyd, Mikael I (Washington)
Hamilton, Kevin J (Washington)
Hawley, Jonathan Patrick (Washington)
Hyatt, Heath L (Washington)
Harlow, James W (Washington)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Resources
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70318031/washington-state-medical-association-v-kennedy/
Last updated Sept. 8, 2026, 3:54 a.m.
Docket for: Washington State Medical Association v. Kennedy
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 20, 2025
Closing Date: Nov. 25, 2025
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Nonprofit organizations, including state medical societies
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Department of Health and Human Services
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
Western District of Washington 2:25-cv-00955
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Basis:
LGBTQ+:
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:
Case Summary of Washington State Medical Association v. Kennedy, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46622/ (last updated 7/9/2025).