Filed Date: Oct. 23, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case is a challenge to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) failure to turn over records concerning the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) involvement in the DOJ’s cancellation of over $800 million in grants, including grants addressing public safety functions.
On October 23, 2025, plaintiff Democracy Forward Foundation (DFF) brought suit against defendants U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to compel compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Plaintiffs alleged that it filed several FOIA requests to shed light on the DOJ’s Office of Justice Program's (OJP) abrupt and large-scale termination of grants in early 2025. The requested records included electronic communications by DOJ and DOGE officials and documentation of the grant terminations. According to plaintiffs, OJP received the requests, but did not produced the requested documents in violation of FOIA. Plaintiffs requested that the court declare the defendant’s withholding of records responsive to the request unlawful, order the defendants to search for and produce any and all non-exempt responsive records, and enjoin the defendants from continuing to withhold such records.
On January 7, 2026, the defendants filed their answer to the complaint along with a motion to strike a section of the complaint. The motion to strike alleged that a specific paragraph in the lawsuit, which criticized the Trump-Vance Administration for terminating certain grants, is immaterial and prejudicial under federal court rules. Because FOIA cases should focus strictly on the production of records rather than a requester's personal motives or political commentary, the defendants claimed this section serves no legal purpose. The motion requested that the court remove the offending language and require the plaintiff to submit a revised complaint.
On February 5, 2026, the court denied the motion to strike on the grounds that “motions to strike are not favored," and the government failed to make the "demanding showing" required. The court found that the section of the complaint at issue is relevant to the claims raised in this case, and it is not "redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous."
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Sofia Yoder (2/14/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71730986/parties/democracy-forward-foundation-v-us-department-of-justice/
Nichols, Carl John (District of Columbia)
McGrath, Daniel Alexander (District of Columbia)
Vickery, Amy C. (District of Columbia)
Duffey, Thomas (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71730986/democracy-forward-foundation-v-us-department-of-justice/
Last updated March 5, 2026, 12:17 p.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 1.0 & 2.0 FOIA cases
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Oct. 23, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiff DFF is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia and based in Washington, D.C. Plaintiff works to promote transparency and accountability in government, in part, by educating the public on government actions and policies.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Department of Justice
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-03755
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority: