Case: Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services v. Donald Trump

1:25-cv-03745 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Oct. 22, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenges the Trump Administration’s reduction of restrictions on toxic emissions from chemical manufacturing plants. On October 22, 2025, a group of nonprofit and grassroots organizations with missions dedicated to environmental justice, pollution, and protection filed this suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Lee Zeldin in his official capacity as the Administrator of the EPA…

This case challenges the Trump Administration’s reduction of restrictions on toxic emissions from chemical manufacturing plants.

On October 22, 2025, a group of nonprofit and grassroots organizations with missions dedicated to environmental justice, pollution, and protection filed this suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Lee Zeldin in his official capacity as the Administrator of the EPA. Plaintiffs were represented by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, Environmental Integrity Project, and the Environmental Defense Fund. In their complaint, plaintiffs claim that on July 17, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation purporting to exempt 50 chemical manufacturing plants from requirements to monitor and control emissions of hazardous air pollutants, such as ethylene oxide and chloroprene, for two years (“the Proclamation”). The EPA issued these requirements in 2024 to prevent and control emissions of toxic pollutants. Plaintiffs allege that by granting these exemptions, President Trump has allowed facilities to delay controls for toxic pollutants, including ethylene oxide—a known carcinogen, to forgo leak monitoring and repair requirements, and to postpone updating their operational practices. All of these increase the chances of toxic emissions within facilities and outside into neighboring communities. The argument claims that the Proclamation violated the Clean Air Act as both an unlawful executive action taken without the necessary statutory review, and ultra vires as a form of de facto rulemaking. Plaintiffs requested declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as attorneys' fees and costs. The injunctive relief includes a prohibition on the EPA from implementing the Proclamation and requiring facilities to comply with the 2024 requirements to prevent toxic emissions. This case was assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper.

On the same day as filing, Plaintiffs notified the court of a case filed in the same court concerning common issues of fact, Air Alliance Houston v. Trump (2025)

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Ayah Elsheikh (11/16/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71719588/parties/texas-environmental-justice-advocacy-services-v-donald-trump/


Judge(s)

Cooper, Christopher Reid (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Buckley, Sarah A. (District of Columbia)

Kron, Adam Matthew (District of Columbia)

Lincoln, Sage (District of Columbia)

Liskow, Samantha (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-03745

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services et al. v. Donald Trump et al.

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71719588/texas-environmental-justice-advocacy-services-v-donald-trump/

Last updated Jan. 17, 2026, 12:44 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-12035923) filed by ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT, CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN, LOUISIANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK, RISE ST. JAMES LOUISIANA, AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON, NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC., TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICES, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR CHEMICAL POLICY REFORM, SIERRA CLUB, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Ex 1 - FR Notice, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Summons Summons to AG DC, # 4 Summons Summons to AG USA, # 5 Summons Summons to EPA, # 6 Summons Summons to Trump, # 7 Summons Summons to Zeldin)(Buckley, Sarah) (Attachment 2 replaced on 10/22/2025) (zmtm). (Entered: 10/22/2025)

1 Exhibit Ex 1 - FR Notice

View on PACER

2 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

3 Summons Summons to AG DC

View on PACER

4 Summons Summons to AG USA

View on PACER

5 Summons Summons to EPA

View on PACER

6 Summons Summons to Trump

View on PACER

7 Summons Summons to Zeldin

View on PACER

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Adam Matthew Kron on behalf of AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON, CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN, LOUISIANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK, RISE ST. JAMES LOUISIANA, SIERRA CLUB, TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICES (Kron, Adam) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

3

NOTICE of Appearance by Deena Tumeh on behalf of AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON, CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN, LOUISIANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK, RISE ST. JAMES LOUISIANA, SIERRA CLUB, TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICES (Tumeh, Deena) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

4

NOTICE of Appearance by Kathleen Lea Riley on behalf of AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON, CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN, LOUISIANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK, RISE ST. JAMES LOUISIANA, SIERRA CLUB, TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICES (Riley, Kathleen) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

5

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Sarah Buckley, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12036881. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR CHEMICAL POLICY REFORM, NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Kron, Adam) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

6

SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmtm) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

8

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC. (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

9

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR CHEMICAL POLICY REFORM (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zmtm)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

7

NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by All Plaintiffs. Case related to Case No. 1:25-cv-1852. (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

RECAP
10

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Rosalie Giselle Winn, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12038532. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Kron, Adam) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

11

NOTICE of Appearance by Abel J. Russ on behalf of ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT (Russ, Abel) (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

12

ENTERED IN ERROR.....LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON, CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND, ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT, LOUISIANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK, RISE ST. JAMES LOUISIANA, SIERRA CLUB, TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICES (Attachments: # 1 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure, # 2 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure, # 3 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure, # 4 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure, # 5 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure, # 6 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure, # 7 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure)(Kron, Adam) Modified on 10/24/2025 (mg). (Entered: 10/23/2025)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

MINUTE ORDER granting 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. 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 Christopher R. Cooper on 10/23/2025. (lccrc3)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

13

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICES (Kron, Adam) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

14

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON (Kron, Adam) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

15

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN (Kron, Adam) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

16

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by LOUISIANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK (Kron, Adam) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

17

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by RISE ST. JAMES LOUISIANA (Kron, Adam) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

18

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by SIERRA CLUB (Kron, Adam) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 12 LCvR 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure - Corporate Affiliations/Financial Interests,,. The following error(s) need correction: Other- Please refile LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests as separate docket entries. (mg)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

Notice of Error

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

MINUTE ORDER granting 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. 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 Christopher R. Cooper on 10/24/2025. (lccrc3)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

19

NOTICE of Appearance by Rosalie Winn on behalf of ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND (Winn, Rosalie) (Main Document 19 replaced on 10/27/2025) (mg). (Entered: 10/27/2025)

Oct. 27, 2025

Oct. 27, 2025

20

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND (Winn, Rosalie) (Entered: 10/27/2025)

Oct. 27, 2025

Oct. 27, 2025

21

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Sage Lincoln, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12057791. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON, CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN, LOUISIANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK, RISE ST. JAMES LOUISIANA, SIERRA CLUB, TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Kron, Adam) (Entered: 11/03/2025)

1 Affidavit

View on PACER

2 Certificate of Good Standing

View on PACER

3 Text of Proposed Order

View on PACER

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

22

NOTICE of Appearance by Samantha Liskow on behalf of ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND (Liskow, Samantha) (Entered: 11/03/2025)

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

23

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT (Russ, Abel) (Main Document 23 replaced on 11/6/2025) (zjm). (Entered: 11/04/2025)

Nov. 4, 2025

Nov. 4, 2025

MINUTE ORDER granting 21 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. 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 Christopher R. Cooper on 11/4/2025. (lccrc3)

Nov. 4, 2025

Nov. 4, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Nov. 4, 2025

Nov. 4, 2025

24

NOTICE of Appearance by Sage Lincoln on behalf of AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON, CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN, LOUISIANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK, RISE ST. JAMES LOUISIANA, SIERRA CLUB, TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICES (Lincoln, Sage) (Entered: 11/05/2025)

Nov. 5, 2025

Nov. 5, 2025

25

ENTERED IN ERROR.....RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the District of Columbia Attorney General. Date of Service Upon District of Columbia Attorney General 10/30/2025. Answer due for ALL D.C. DEFENDANTS by 11/20/2025. (Buckley, Sarah) Modified on 11/14/2025 (zjm). (Entered: 11/13/2025)

Nov. 13, 2025

Nov. 13, 2025

26

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 10/30/2025. (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 11/13/2025)

Nov. 13, 2025

Nov. 13, 2025

27

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY served on 10/29/2025 (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 11/13/2025)

Nov. 13, 2025

Nov. 13, 2025

28

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. DONALD TRUMP served on 11/4/2025 (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 11/13/2025)

Nov. 13, 2025

Nov. 13, 2025

29

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. LEE ZELDIN served on 10/30/2025 (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 11/13/2025)

Nov. 13, 2025

Nov. 13, 2025

30

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on the United States Attorney. (Buckley, Sarah) Modified on 11/17/2025 to correct party (zjm). (Entered: 11/14/2025)

Nov. 14, 2025

Nov. 14, 2025

31

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 10/30/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 12/29/2025. (See Docket Entry 30 to view document) (zjm) (Entered: 11/17/2025)

Nov. 14, 2025

Nov. 14, 2025

NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 25 Summons Returned Executed as to DC Attorney General,. The following error(s) need correction: Incorrect event. Please refile using Summons Returned executed as to US Attorney. Please enter date of delivery (not date mailed). Please refile. (zjm)

Nov. 14, 2025

Nov. 14, 2025

Notice of Error

Nov. 14, 2025

Nov. 14, 2025

Summons Returned Executed as to US Attorney

Nov. 17, 2025

Nov. 17, 2025

32

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond to the Complaint by DONALD TRUMP, LEE ZELDIN, U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Brown, Laura) (Entered: 12/05/2025)

Dec. 5, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

MINUTE ORDER granting Defendants' 32 Motion to Extend Time to File a Responsive Pleading. Defendants' responsive pleading is now due no later than January 29, 2026. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 12/8/2025. (lccrc3)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

33

NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel Jeffrey Martin on behalf of All Defendants (Martin, Daniel) (Main Document 33 replaced on 12/22/2025) (zjm). (Entered: 12/17/2025)

Dec. 17, 2025

Dec. 17, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Environmental Justice

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 22, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A group of nonprofit and grassroots organizations with missions dedicated to environmental justice, pollution, and protection

Attorney Organizations:

Earthjustice

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-03745

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Barrier Removal