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

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.)

On September 10, 2025, American Oversight brought this lawsuit against DHS in federal court for the District of Columbia to seek information about Corey Lewandowski’s role at the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”). This suit followed reports that Lewandowski, the former campaign manager for President Trump, had developed an “outsized influence” at DHS, despite his status as a Special Government Employee (“SGE”). Plaintiffs filed several FOIA requests to ascertain more information about Lewandowski’s role and actions during his time at DHS, but have received no records or determinations in response to its requests. Plaintiffs filed under FOIA and the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201 and 2202, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to compel compliance with the requirements of FOIA.

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. 3, 2025, 7:27 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

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 10, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)