Case: District of Columbia v. Donald J. Trump

1:25-cv-02678 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Aug. 15, 2025

Closed Date: Sept. 26, 2025

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In District of Columbia v. Trump, the District of Columbia sued to halt what it described as an unprecedented federal seizure of control over the city’s police force. The case raised immediate questions about the constitutional limits of presidential authority and the balance of power between federal and local governance in the nation’s capital. On August 15, 2025, the District of Columbia filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against President Donald J. Tru…

In District of Columbia v. Trump, the District of Columbia sued to halt what it described as an unprecedented federal seizure of control over the city’s police force. The case raised immediate questions about the constitutional limits of presidential authority and the balance of power between federal and local governance in the nation’s capital.

On August 15, 2025, the District of Columbia filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against President Donald J. Trump; the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); the U.S. Attorney General; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its Administrator; and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and its Director. The case was assigned to District Judge Ana C. Reyes.

The District, proceeding as the sole plaintiff, was represented by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, including Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, Deputy Attorney General Coty Montag, and Assistant Attorneys General Nicole S. Hill, Pamela Disney, and others from the Public Advocacy and Legal Counsel Divisions

The complaint alleged that the President had unlawfully invoked D.C. Code § 1-207.40 to place the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under direct federal control, delegating operational command to the U.S. Attorney General, appointing the DEA Administrator as “Emergency Commissioner” of MPD, and assigning the USMS Director to exercise supervisory control over MPD operations. The District claimed that these actions violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the Separation of Powers, the Take Care Clause, and the District Clause, and were ultra vires.

Plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief preventing federal officials from assuming command of MPD, along with attorneys’ fees and costs.

While the lawsuit was pending, the U.S. Attorney General rescinded Order No. 6370-2025, which had appointed the “Emergency Commissioner.” The District withdrew its motion for a temporary restraining order shortly thereafter, and the President’s invocation of D.C. Code § 1-207.40 expired on September 10, 2025

With no further relief necessary, the District filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal on September 25, 2025, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(i).

 

Summary Authors

Michael Vandergriff (10/23/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71116258/parties/district-of-columbia-v-donald-j-trump/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Disney, Pamela A. (District of Columbia)

Hill, Nicole Suzanne (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Wyer, Kathryn L. (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

DEBERRY, SHAUNESI YVETTE (District of Columbia)

Dewey, Samuel Everett (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-02678

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

Complaint
1

1:25-cv-02678

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

Complaint
19

1:25-cv-02678

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

District of Columbia v. Donald J. Trump et al.

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71116258/district-of-columbia-v-donald-j-trump/

Last updated Nov. 6, 2025, 1:25 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants (Fee Status:Filing Fee Waived) filed by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons)(Hill, Nicole) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Summons

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3 Summons

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4 Summons

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5 Summons

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6 Summons

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7 Summons

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8 Summons

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Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

Clearinghouse
10

NOTICE of Filing by PAMELA J. BONDI, TERRANCE C. COLE, DONALD J. TRUMP, GADYACES S. SERRALTA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE (Attachments: # 1 Attorney General Order No. 6372-2025)(Wyer, Kathryn) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

1 Attorney General Order No. 6372-2025

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Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

RECAP
2

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit Ex. A Bondi Order, # 3 Declaration Ex. B Smith Declaration, # 4 Text of Proposed Order)(Hill, Nicole) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

1 Memorandum in Support

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2 Exhibit Ex. A Bondi Order

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3 Declaration Ex. B Smith Declaration

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4 Text of Proposed Order

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Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

RECAP
3

SUMMONS (7) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmw) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

1 Notice and Consent

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Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

RECAP
4

REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE U.S. Attorney filed by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.(Hill, Nicole) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

RECAP
5

MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by The Oversight Project, MIKE HOWELL. (Dewey, Samuel) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

RECAP
6

NOTICE of Appearance by Pamela A. Disney on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Disney, Pamela) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

RECAP
7

SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to U.S. Attorney (znmw) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

RECAP
8

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS before Judge Ana C. Reyes held on 8/15/2025; Page Numbers: 1-76. Date of Issuance:8/15/2025. Court Reporter Christine T. Asif, Telephone number 202-354-3247, Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order FormFor the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter.NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 9/5/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 9/15/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 11/13/2025.(Asif, Christine) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

9

NOTICE of Appearance by Kathryn L. Wyer on behalf of All Defendants (Wyer, Kathryn) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

RECAP

MINUTE ORDER. The Court ORDERS the parties to appear before Judge Reyes at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 15, 2025 in Courtroom 12 for a hearing on Plaintiff's 2 Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order. The hearing will be made accessible to the public telephonically via the Courtroom Public Access Line. The Public Access telephone number is 1-833-990-9400, and the meeting ID is 787605272. Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 08/15/2025. (lcacr2)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

.Order

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

Notice of Error- New Case

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

Case Assigned to Judge Ana C. Reyes. (zjd)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR regarding 1 Complaint,. The following error(s) need correction: Missing summonses- U.S. government. When naming a U.S. government agent or agency as a defendant, you must supply a summons for each defendant & two additional summonses for the U.S. Attorney & U.S. Attorney General. Please submit summons for U.S. Attorney using the event Request for Summons to Issue. (znmw)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

MINUTE ORDER. The Court ORDERS the parties to appear before Judge Reyes at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 15, 2025 in Courtroom 12 for a hearing on Plaintiff's 2 Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order.The hearing will be made accessible to the public telephonically via the Courtroom Public Access Line. The Public Access telephone number is 1-833-990-9400, and the meeting ID is 787605272.Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 08/15/2025. (lcacr2)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Hearing on Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order set for 8/15/2025 at2:0 0 PM in Courtroom 12- In Person (Audio Line Available) before Judge Ana C. Reyes. (zcdw)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Hearing on Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order set for 8/15/2025 at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 12- In Person (Audio Line Available) before Judge Ana C. Reyes. (zcdw)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Ana C. Reyes: Motion Hearing held and concluded on 8/15/2025 re 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Case called for an Evidentiary Hearing but not held. Court Reporter Christine Asif. (ztl)

Aug. 15, 2025

Aug. 15, 2025

11

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA re 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order (Hill, Nicole) (Entered: 08/16/2025)

Aug. 16, 2025

Aug. 16, 2025

RECAP
12

MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by SHAUNESI YVETTE DEBERRY. (znmw) (Entered: 08/18/2025)

Aug. 18, 2025

Aug. 18, 2025

RECAP
13

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS before Judge Ana C. Reyes held on 8/15/2025; Page Numbers: 1-76. Date of Issuance:8/15/2025. Court Reporter Christine T. Asif, Telephone number 202-354-3247, Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order FormFor the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter.NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 9/8/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 9/18/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 11/16/2025.(Asif, Christine) (Entered: 08/18/2025)

Aug. 18, 2025

Aug. 18, 2025

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Ana C. Reyes: Motion Hearing held and concluded on 8/15/2025 re 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Case called for an Evidentiary Hearing but not held. Court Reporter Christine Asif. (ztl)

Aug. 18, 2025

Aug. 18, 2025

MINUTE ORDER denying as moot 12 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief. Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 8/18/2025. (lcacr3)

Aug. 18, 2025

Aug. 18, 2025

MINUTE ORDER granting 5 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief. Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 8/18/2025. (lcacr3)

Aug. 18, 2025

Aug. 18, 2025

Motion Hearing

Aug. 18, 2025

Aug. 18, 2025

14

REQUEST FOR LEAVE TO FILE REVIEW. The attached document requires leave to file: ADRIAN MOON - Motion to Shorten Time and Disqualify. Reason(s): Filer is not a party to the case. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order) (znmw) (Entered: 08/22/2025)

Aug. 22, 2025

Aug. 22, 2025

15

REQUEST FOR LEAVE TO FILE REVIEW. The attached document requires leave to file: ADRIAN MOON - Motions (2) for Joinder and for Recusal. Reason(s): Filer is not a party to the case. (Attachments: # 1 Motion for Recusal) (znmw) (Entered: 08/22/2025)

Aug. 22, 2025

Aug. 22, 2025

16

REQUEST FOR LEAVE TO FILE REVIEW. The attached document requires leave to file: ADRIAN MOON - Notice and Request for Transcript. Reason(s): Filer is not a party to the case. (Attachments: # 1 Request for Transcript) (znmw) (Entered: 08/22/2025)

Aug. 22, 2025

Aug. 22, 2025

17

REQUEST FOR LEAVE TO FILE REVIEW. The attached document requires leave to file: ADRIAN MOON - Notice. Reason(s): Filer is not a party to the case. (znmw) (Entered: 08/22/2025)

Aug. 22, 2025

Aug. 22, 2025

.Order

Aug. 22, 2025

Aug. 22, 2025

MINUTE ORDER re 14 Request for Leave to File Review; 15 Request for Leave to File Review; 16 Request for Leave to File Review; 17 Request for Leave to File Review. The Court DENIES Mr. Moon leave to file. The Court further directs the Clerk to cease accepting similar frivolous submissions from Mr. Moon in this case, to which he is not a party. Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 08/22/2025. (lcacr2)

Aug. 22, 2025

Aug. 22, 2025

18

STANDING ORDER. The Court orders the parties to comply with the Court's Standing Order. See Order for details. Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 08/25/2025. (lcacr3) (Entered: 08/25/2025)

Aug. 25, 2025

Aug. 25, 2025

RECAP

MINUTE ORDER. The Court ORDERS the parties to file a joint status report on or before September 26, 2025 updating the Court as to whether this case should remain open, and if so, why. Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 09/23/2025. (lcacr3)

Sept. 23, 2025

Sept. 23, 2025

.Order

Sept. 23, 2025

Sept. 23, 2025

Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 9/26/2025. (zcdw)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

19

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Hill, Nicole) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

Clearinghouse

MINUTE ORDER. In light of the 19 Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, the Court DISMISSES this case without prejudice. The Court thanks the parties for resolving this matter. The Court DIRECTS the Clerk of Court to terminate this case. Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 09/26/2025. (lcacr3)

Sept. 26, 2025

Sept. 26, 2025

MINUTE ORDER. In light of the 19 Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, the Court DISMISSES this case without prejudice. The Court thanks the parties for resolving this matter.The Court DIRECTS the Clerk of Court to terminate this case. Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 09/26/2025. (lcacr3)

Sept. 26, 2025

Sept. 26, 2025

.Order

Sept. 26, 2025

Sept. 26, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Policing

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 15, 2025

Closing Date: Sept. 26, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

District of Columbia.

Plaintiff Type(s):

State Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Donald J. Trump (- United States (national) -), Federal

Pamela J. Bondi (- United States (national) -), Federal

Terrance C. Cole (- United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Separation of Powers

Take Care Clause

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-02678

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief request withdrawn/mooted

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Commandeering