Case: Norman v. Trump

1:25-cv-03414 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Oct. 15, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

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

On October 15, 2025, Plaintiff brought this case pro se against President Trump, the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), and several other top executive agencies and their respective leadership. Filing in federal district court in the District of Maryland, Plaintiff alleged that he and his colleagues applied for a 5 million dollar research grant which was improperly denied after DOGE officials inserted themselves into the review process and disqualified proposals containing the word "diversity." Plaintiff has made significant contributions to the understanding of race-based opportunity gaps in higher education. This case was brought under the First and Fifth Amendment, as well as the APA, and sought declaratory and injunctive relief compelling defendants to review grant claims under their standard framework.

This case is ongoing.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71658061/parties/norman-v-trump/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Norman, Obed (Maryland)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-03414

[Untitled]

Oct. 15, 2025

Oct. 15, 2025

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71658061/norman-v-trump/

Last updated Oct. 23, 2025, 9:36 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Department of Government Efficiency, Amy Gleason, Leah McAlister-Shields, James L. Moore, III, National Science Foundation, Brian Stone, Donald J. Trump, Lee Zia, filed by Obed Norman. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (ols, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/15/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Oct. 15, 2025

Oct. 15, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Obed Norman (ols, Deputy Clerk) (Additional attachment(s) added on 10/16/2025: # 1 Attachment) (ols). (Entered: 10/15/2025)

Oct. 15, 2025

Oct. 15, 2025

PACER
3

New Case Notification Letter sent to Obed Norman. (c/m p 10/15/25 ols, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/15/2025)

Oct. 15, 2025

Oct. 15, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 15, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Any published opinion