Filed Date: June 5, 2025
Case Ongoing
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This case is about the abrupt termination of fellowships in the Donald M. Payne Fellowship Program following the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by the Trump Administration. The Donald M. Payne Fellowship was established in 2012 to support individuals, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, pursuing advanced degrees and careers in the Foreign Service.
On June 5, 2025, five anonymous plaintiffs filed this class action lawsuit in the United States Court of Federal Claims. The plaintiffs, all former fellows of the Donald M. Payne Fellowship Program, sued the United States for breach of contract under the Administrative Procedure Act. The proposed class included “all individuals who were awarded Payne Fellowship contracts in 2023 and 2024.” Judge Edward H. Meyers presides over the case.
Plaintiffs alleged that they entered into binding fellowship contracts with USAID, under which the agency agreed to provide tuition, stipends, and employment as Foreign Service Officers upon completion of fellowship requirements. Plaintiffs asserted they satisfied all contractual obligations, including academic, medical, and security requirements. Nevertheless, in February 2025, USAID terminated their contracts for non-contractual reasons tied to the Trump Administration’s dismantling of USAID.
Plaintiffs claimed that the government’s termination violated their contracts by improperly treating the terminations as “for convenience” and that USAID’s failure to communicate about the terminations exacerbated their financial and professional harm. They further alleged that the terminations violated the Administrative Procedure Act as arbitrary, capricious, and lacking a rational basis, amounting to an abuse of discretion. Represented by private counsel, plaintiffs sought damages for unpaid fellowship benefits, lost wages, and compensation for forgone opportunities.
On June 6, the court noted an error in the way the plaintiffs' attempt to file anonymously was submitted, and ordered re-filing under seal.
On October 1, 2025, the case was stayed due to the government shutdown.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Victoria Tan (6/20/2025)
Taite Puhala (11/11/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70463157/parties/j-doe-1-5-v-united-states/
Meyers, Edward Hulvey (District of Columbia)
Schnell, Joshua D. (District of Columbia)
Byrd, Bryan Michael (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70463157/j-doe-1-5-v-united-states/
Last updated Dec. 3, 2025, 1:29 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 5, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Five anonymous former fellows of the Donald M. Payne Fellowship Program
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Pending
Defendants
United States (- United States (national) -), Federal
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Other Dockets:
U.S. Court of Federal Claims 1:25-cv-00947
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.: