Filed Date: Nov. 24, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case arises out of the termination of Joseph H. Schnitt III, former Acting Deputy Chief of the Department of Justice's Special Operation Unit. The plaintiff alleged that on September 5, 2025, the government arbitrarily fired him. Accordingly, he brought suit against Pamela Bondi, in her official capacity, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the United States of America, in the D.C. District Court. Judge Christopher R. Cooper was assigned to this case.
The plaintiff alleges that what he thought was an innocent hinge date turned out to be an undercover investigation by the O'Keefe Media Group. The reporte captured a video showing the plaintiff making several remarks about the Epstein investigation. Notably, the video captured the plaintiff commenting that the Government would redact names of prominent Republicans while leaving unredacted names of prominent Democrats.
Following the publication of the video, the DOJ posted a tweet containing a message the plaintiff sent to his supervisor regarding the event with no additional information. The next day, Attorney General Bondi issued a termination letter to the plaintiff.
In response, the plaintiff, represented by Mark S. Zaid, brought this suit under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), the Privacy Act and the Declaratory Judgement Act. He alleged that the government exceeded its statutory authority by terminating him, violated his privacy rights by tweeting a work email, and violated his right to protected speech without fear of retribution. To remediate these harms, he requested a declaration that his termination was unlawful, backpay, monetary compensation, reasonable attorney fees, and a writ of mandamus commanding the government to return him to his position.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Jinan Abufarha (12/7/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71952354/parties/schnitt-v-bondi/
Zaid, Mark Steven (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71952354/schnitt-v-bondi/
Last updated June 9, 2026, 4:05 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Nov. 24, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiff is Joseph H. Schnitt, III, formerly the Acting Deputy Chief of the Special Operations Unit within the Criminal Division.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Department of Justice
Pamela Bondi
United States of America
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Leave Act, 5 U.S.C. § 6329a
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-04111
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:
Case Summary of Schnitt v. Bondi, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47353/ (last updated 12/7/2025).