Case: Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S. Department of Justice

1:25-cv-02597 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Aug. 8, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenged the alleged failure of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to comply with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Democracy Forward Foundation (DFF) sought expedited processing of its FOIA requests for records concerning the Trump Administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein matter, including internal communications and any related reviews. DFF argued that expedited processing was warranted due to widespread media interest, significant public concern regarding government integrity, and potential governmental decisions involving one of Epstein's alleged co-conspirators. The DOJ and FBI denied expedited processing under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E)(v)(II).

On August 8, 2025, DFF filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the DOJ and FBI, alleging that Defendants' denial of their expedited processing request violated the FOIA. Plaintiff sought an order compelling Defendants to grant expedited processing, as well as costs and attorneys' fees. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan.

On August 11, Plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment.

The case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Emma Vayda (8/12/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71059502/parties/democracy-forward-foundation-v-us-department-of-justice/

Judge(s)

Chutkan, Tanya Sue (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

McGrath, Daniel Alexander (District of Columbia)

Vickery, Amy (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Chutkan, Tanya Sue (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

McGrath, Daniel Alexander (District of Columbia)

Vickery, Amy (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:25-cv-02597	Complaint for Injunctive Relief	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 Complaint
4 1:25-cv-02597	Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment	Aug. 11, 2025	Aug. 11, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71059502/democracy-forward-foundation-v-us-department-of-justice/

Last updated Aug. 21, 2025, 11:40 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11875485) filed by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 08/08/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER 3 Summons View on PACER 4 Summons View on PACER 5 Summons View on PACER	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION (McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 PACER
3	SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmtm) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 PACER
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 PACER
	Case Assigned to Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. (zmtm)	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 PACER
4	MOTION for Summary Judgment by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Statement of Facts, # 4 Text of Proposed Order)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 08/11/2025) 1 Memorandum in Support View on PACER 2 Declaration View on PACER 3 Statement of Facts View on PACER 4 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	Aug. 11, 2025	Aug. 11, 2025 RECAP
5	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Amy C. Vickery, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11884319. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 08/12/2025) 1 Declaration View on PACER 2 Certificate of Good Standing View on PACER	Aug. 12, 2025	Aug. 12, 2025 PACER
6	Unopposed MOTION to Expedite Consideration by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 08/13/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	Aug. 13, 2025	Aug. 13, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Aug. 13, 2025	Aug. 13, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion to Expedite AND Set/Reset Deadlines	Aug. 13, 2025	Aug. 13, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER: The Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 5 is granted. Amy C. Vickery is hereby admitted pro hac vice to represent Plaintiff Democracy Forward Foundation in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 8/13/2025. (lcjb)	Aug. 13, 2025	Aug. 13, 2025 PACER
	MINUTE ORDER: Plaintiff's Unopposed 6 Motion for Expedited Consideration is GRANTED. Defendants shall respond to Plaintiff's 4 Motion for Summary Judgment by September 8, 2025. Plaintiff's reply is due by September 16, 2025. Defendants' Answer is HELD IN ABEYANCE until this court resolves Plaintiff's pending 4 summary judgment motion. Signed by Tanya S. Chutkan on 8/13/2025. (lcdh)	Aug. 13, 2025	Aug. 13, 2025 PACER
7	NOTICE of Appearance by Amy Vickery on behalf of DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION (Vickery, Amy) (Entered: 08/14/2025)	Aug. 14, 2025	Aug. 14, 2025 PACER