Case: Ireland v. United States

1:25-cv-01921 | U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Filed Date: Nov. 10, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenges the withholding of retirement benefits to transgender members of the United States Air Force and Space Force. 

On November 10, 2025, Plaintiffs -- 17 transgender members of the Untied States Air Force or the United States Space Force -- filed this lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims against the United States. Plaintiffs challenged as unlawful the withholding of retirement benefits.  Their retirement orders had been granted in June 2025. However, in August, the Air Force rescinded all 17 of these retirement orders, in direct contradiction of their own retirement instructions under DAFI 36-3203. Plaintiffs sought to reinstate the rescinded retirement orders, restore retirement benefits, and recover damages, including lost retirement pay under 10 U.S.C. § 9329.

This case was assigned to Judge Elaine D. Kaplan. 

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Zainab Mustafa (11/18/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71901559/parties/ireland-v-united-states/


Judge(s)

Kaplan, Elaine D (- United States (national) -)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Segal, Eli Mordecai (- United States (national) -)

Attorney for Defendant

Rayel, William Porter (- United States (national) -)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

1:25-cv-01921

Complaint

Ireland v. United States of America

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71901559/ireland-v-united-states/

Last updated July 22, 2026, 3:47 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Nov. 10, 2025

COMPLAINT against USA (AF) (Filing fee $405, Receipt number AUSFCC-10867883) (Copy Served Electronically on Department of Justice), filed by All Plaintiffs. Answer due by 1/9/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3, # 5 Exhibit 4, # 6 Exhibit 5, # 7 Exhibit 6, # 8 Exhibit 7, # 9 Exhibit 8, # 10 Exhibit 9, # 11 Exhibit 10, # 12 Exhibit 11, # 13 Exhibit 12, # 14 Exhibit 13, # 15 Exhibit 14, # 16 Exhibit 15, # 17 Exhibit 16, # 18 Exhibit 17, # 19 Exhibit 18, # 20 Exhibit 19, # 21 Exhibit 20, # 22 Exhibit 21, # 23 Exhibit 22, # 24 Exhibit 23, # 25 Exhibit 24, # 26 Exhibit 25, # 27 Exhibit 26, # 28 Exhibit 27, # 29 Exhibit 28, # 30 Exhibit 29, # 31 Exhibit 30, # 32 Exhibit 31, # 33 Exhibit 32, # 34 Exhibit 33, # 35 Exhibit 34, # 36 Exhibit 35, # 37 Exhibit 36, # 38 Exhibit 37, # 39 Exhibit 38)(vds) (Entered: 11/12/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Exhibit 1

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3 Exhibit 2

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4 Exhibit 3

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5 Exhibit 4

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6 Exhibit 5

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7 Exhibit 6

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8 Exhibit 7

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9 Exhibit 8

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10 Exhibit 9

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11 Exhibit 10

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12 Exhibit 11

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13 Exhibit 12

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14 Exhibit 13

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15 Exhibit 14

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16 Exhibit 15

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17 Exhibit 16

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18 Exhibit 17

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19 Exhibit 18

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20 Exhibit 19

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21 Exhibit 20

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22 Exhibit 21

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23 Exhibit 22

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24 Exhibit 23

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25 Exhibit 24

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26 Exhibit 25

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27 Exhibit 26

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28 Exhibit 27

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29 Exhibit 28

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30 Exhibit 29

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31 Exhibit 30

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32 Exhibit 31

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33 Exhibit 32

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34 Exhibit 33

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35 Exhibit 34

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36 Exhibit 35

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37 Exhibit 36

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38 Exhibit 37

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39 Exhibit 38

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Clearinghouse
2 Nov. 12, 2025

Notice of Random Assignment Pursuant to Rule 40.1(a) to Judge Elaine D. Kaplan. (vds) (Entered: 11/12/2025)

RECAP
3 Nov. 12, 2025

NOTICE of Designation of Electronic Case. (vds) (Entered: 11/12/2025)

RECAP
4 Nov. 20, 2025

MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Jennifer Levi. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: Massachusetts. ), filed by All Plaintiffs.(Segal, Eli) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

RECAP
5 Nov. 20, 2025

MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Shannon Minter. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: California. ), filed by ALYXANDRA ANGUIANO, DEVIN BABLE, MIKAYLA BARFIELD, KIRA BRIMHALL, RUPERT CASSIDY, CORVUS COPPER, ASHLEY DAVIS, CLAIRE ELLIOTT, NOELLE HART, AUBREIGH HEDRICH, COREY HUNT, LOGAN IRELAND, CHRIS ROGERS, JACK ROUSCH, BRANDI SOUKUP, AXEL STERRETT, LINDELL WALLEY.(Segal, Eli) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

RECAP
6 Nov. 20, 2025

MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Michael Haley. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: New Hampshire. ), filed by ALYXANDRA ANGUIANO, DEVIN BABLE, MIKAYLA BARFIELD, KIRA BRIMHALL, RUPERT CASSIDY, CORVUS COPPER, ASHLEY DAVIS, CLAIRE ELLIOTT, NOELLE HART, AUBREIGH HEDRICH, COREY HUNT, LOGAN IRELAND, CHRIS ROGERS, JACK ROUSCH, BRANDI SOUKUP, AXEL STERRETT, LINDELL WALLEY.(Segal, Eli) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

RECAP
7 Nov. 20, 2025

MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Christopher Stoll. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: California. ), filed by ALYXANDRA ANGUIANO, DEVIN BABLE, MIKAYLA BARFIELD, KIRA BRIMHALL, RUPERT CASSIDY, CORVUS COPPER, ASHLEY DAVIS, CLAIRE ELLIOTT, NOELLE HART, AUBREIGH HEDRICH, COREY HUNT, LOGAN IRELAND, CHRIS ROGERS, JACK ROUSCH, BRANDI SOUKUP, AXEL STERRETT, LINDELL WALLEY.(Segal, Eli) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

RECAP
8 Nov. 20, 2025

MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Michael Weingartner. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: Pennsylvania. ), filed by ALYXANDRA ANGUIANO, DEVIN BABLE, MIKAYLA BARFIELD, KIRA BRIMHALL, RUPERT CASSIDY, CORVUS COPPER, ASHLEY DAVIS, CLAIRE ELLIOTT, NOELLE HART, AUBREIGH HEDRICH, COREY HUNT, LOGAN IRELAND, CHRIS ROGERS, JACK ROUSCH, BRANDI SOUKUP, AXEL STERRETT, LINDELL WALLEY.(Segal, Eli) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

RECAP
9 Nov. 24, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by William Porter Rayel for USA . (Rayel, William) (Entered: 11/24/2025)

RECAP
Dec. 1, 2025

ORDER (NON-PDF): The pending motions for admission pro hac vice, ECF Nos. 4-8, are GRANTED, subject to payment of the $75.00 admission fee per nonmember attorney to the Clerk of Court. Upon payment, counsel will be admitted pro hac vice in accordance with RCFC 83.1(a)(1)(B)(2). Signed by Judge Elaine D. Kaplan. (tbs) Service on parties made.

Dec. 1, 2025

Order on Motion for Pro Hac Vice Participation in Case AND Order on Motion for Pro Hac Vice Participation in Case AND Order on Motion for Pro Hac Vice Participation in Case AND Order on Motion for Pro Hac Vice Participation in Case AND Order on Motion for Pro Hac Vice Participation in Case

10 Dec. 5, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance pro hac vice by Michael R. Haley for ALYXANDRA ANGUIANO, CORVUS COPPER, ASHLEY DAVIS, CLAIRE ELLIOTT, AUBREIGH HEDRICH, COREY HUNT, LOGAN IRELAND, CHRIS ROGERS, BRANDI SOUKUP, AXEL STERRETT . (Filing fee $75, Receipt number AUSFCC-10928116) (Haley, Michael) (Entered: 12/05/2025)

RECAP
11 Dec. 8, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance pro hac vice by Jennifer Levi for ALYXANDRA ANGUIANO, CORVUS COPPER, ASHLEY DAVIS, CLAIRE ELLIOTT, AUBREIGH HEDRICH, COREY HUNT, LOGAN IRELAND, CHRIS ROGERS, BRANDI SOUKUP, AXEL STERRETT . (Filing fee $75, Receipt number AUSFCC-10930980) (Levi, Jennifer) (Entered: 12/08/2025)

RECAP
12 Jan. 5, 2026

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time until February 9, 2026 to File Response as to 1 Complaint,,,, filed by USA.Response due by 1/19/2026.(Rayel, William) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

RECAP
13 Jan. 5, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Jeremy S. Spiegel for ALYXANDRA ANGUIANO, DEVIN BABLE, MIKAYLA BARFIELD, KIRA BRIMHALL, RUPERT CASSIDY, CORVUS COPPER, ASHLEY DAVIS, CLAIRE ELLIOTT, AUBREIGH HEDRICH, COREY HUNT, LOGAN IRELAND, CHRIS ROGERS, JACK ROUSCH, BRANDI SOUKUP, AXEL STERRETT, LINDELL WALLEY . (Spiegel, Jeremy) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

RECAP
Jan. 5, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response

Jan. 5, 2026

ORDER (NON-PDF): Defendants 12 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file its response to the Complaint is GRANTED. Defendant shall file its response on or before February 9, 2026. Signed by Judge Elaine D. Kaplan. (tbs) Service on parties made.

14 Feb. 2, 2026

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time until March 2, 2026 to File Response as to 1 Complaint,,,, filed by USA.Response due by 2/17/2026.(Rayel, William) (Entered: 02/02/2026)

RECAP
Feb. 3, 2026

ORDER (NON-PDF): Defendant's 14 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file its response to the Complaint is GRANTED. Defendant shall file its Response on or before 3/2/2026. Signed by Judge Elaine D. Kaplan. (tbs) Service on parties made.

Feb. 3, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response

15 Feb. 26, 2026

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time until March 16, 2026 to File Response as to 1 Complaint,,,, filed by USA.Response due by 3/12/2026.(Rayel, William) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

RECAP
Feb. 27, 2026

ORDER (NON-PDF): Defendant's 15 Unopposed Motion for Extension to File its Answer to the Complaint is GRANTED. Absent extraordinary circumstances, no further extensions will be granted. Answer or Motion to Dismiss due by 3/16/2026. Signed by Judge Elaine D. Kaplan. (lb) Service on parties made.

Feb. 27, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response

16 March 16, 2026

MOTION to Dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) (Partial), filed by USA.Response due by 4/13/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix)(Rayel, William) (Entered: 03/16/2026)

1 Appendix

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RECAP
17 April 13, 2026

RESPONSE to 16 MOTION to Dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) (Partial), filed by All Plaintiffs.Reply due by 4/27/2026. (Segal, Eli) (Entered: 04/13/2026)

RECAP
18 April 24, 2026

REPLY to Response to Motion re 16 MOTION to Dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) (Partial), filed by USA. (Rayel, William) (Entered: 04/24/2026)

RECAP
19 May 7, 2026

NOTICE, filed by USA re 18 Reply to Response to Motion Notice of Correction. (Attachments: # 1 Lt Col Davis Retirement Orders, # 2 Lt Col Davis DD 214)(Rayel, William) (Entered: 05/07/2026)

1 Lt Col Davis Retirement Orders

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2 Lt Col Davis DD 214

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RECAP
June 30, 2026

ORDER Setting Oral Argument/Hearing on 16 MOTION to Dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) (Partial) : Oral Argument set for 7/8/2026 10:00 AM before Judge Elaine Kaplan. Signed by Judge Elaine Kaplan. (Ab) Service on parties made.

June 30, 2026

Setting Oral Argument/Hearing on Motion

July 1, 2026

Setting Oral Argument/Hearing on Motion

July 1, 2026

Set Scheduled Proceeding Hearing Deadline

July 1, 2026

ORDER Rescheduling Oral Argument/Hearing on 16 MOTION to Dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) (Partial) : Oral Argument set for 7/7/2026 02:00 PM before Judge Elaine Kaplan. Signed by Judge Elaine Kaplan. (Ab) Service on parties made.

July 1, 2026

Scheduled Proceeding Hearing Set: REPORTER PRESENT. Oral Argument set for 7/7/2026 02:00 PM in Courtroom 9 before Judge Elaine Kaplan. (fm)

20 July 6, 2026

Notice (Other)

1 TSgt Walley Retirement Orders

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2 TSgt Walley DD 214

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3 MSgt Ireland Retirement Orders

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RECAP
July 9, 2026

Oral Argument

Case Details

State / Territory:

- United States (national) -

Case Type(s):

Labor Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 10, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are 17 transgender members of the United States Air Force or Space Force.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

GLAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

United States of America

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Other Dockets:

U.S. Court of Federal Claims 1:25-cv-01921

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.:

Public benefits (includes, e.g., in-state tuition, govt. jobs)

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Transgender

LGBTQ+:

Transgender

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