Case: American Oversight v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security

1:25-cv-03113 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Sept. 10, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

On September 10, 2025, American Oversight filed suit against the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking records about Corey Lewandowski’s role at the agency. Though officially designated a Special Government Employee (“SGE”), capped at 130 workdays per year, Lewandowski—former campaign manager for President Trump and now “Chief Advisor” to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem—was reported to act as her de facto chief of staff, exercising bro…

On September 10, 2025, American Oversight filed suit against the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking records about Corey Lewandowski’s role at the agency. Though officially designated a Special Government Employee (“SGE”), capped at 130 workdays per year, Lewandowski—former campaign manager for President Trump and now “Chief Advisor” to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem—was reported to act as her de facto chief of staff, exercising broad authority over contracts, personnel, and access while avoiding documentation and failing to file required financial disclosures.

To shed light on his activities, American Oversight submitted three FOIA requests between May and July 2025 seeking Lewandowski’s official calendar, his communications with Congress, the White House, and outside actors, as well as emails relating to the Insurrection Act and Posse Comitatus Act and to the denaturalization of U.S. citizens. Although DHS allegedly acknowledged each request, it produced no records or determinations. American Oversight now seeks declaratory and injunctive relief under FOIA and the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201–2202, to compel DHS to conduct adequate searches and release responsive records

The matter was assigned to Judge Trevor N. McFadden on September 12, 2025.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Michael Vandergriff (10/3/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71310654/parties/american-oversight-v-us-department-of-homeland-security/


Judge(s)

McFadden, Trevor Neil (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Martinez, Daniel Havlir (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-03113

Complaint

Sept. 10, 2025

Sept. 10, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71310654/american-oversight-v-us-department-of-homeland-security/

Last updated Oct. 23, 2025, 11:06 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11947886) filed by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons USAO, # 3 Summons AG, # 4 Summons DHS, # 5 Exhibit A, # 6 Exhibit B, # 7 Exhibit C)(Martinez, Daniel) (Entered: 09/10/2025)

Sept. 10, 2025

Sept. 10, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT (Martinez, Daniel) (Entered: 09/10/2025)

Sept. 10, 2025

Sept. 10, 2025

PACER
3

SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zhcn) (Entered: 09/12/2025)

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

PACER
4

STANDING ORDER Establishing Procedures for Cases Before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. The parties are hereby ORDERED to read and comply with the directives in the attached standing order. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/12/2025. (lctnm1) (Entered: 09/12/2025)

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned to Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (zhcn)

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

PACER
5

Summons Returned Executed as to Federal Defendant

Sept. 23, 2025

Sept. 23, 2025

PACER

Summons Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney General AND Summons Returned Executed in FOIA case as to U.S. Attorney

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

National Security

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 10, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)