Case: O'Neill v. Hartman

1:25-cv-04228 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Dec. 22, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a lawsuit challenging enforcement of President Trump's January 20, 2025 Executive Order 14168, which, among other things, withdrew federal recognition of transgender people and instructed federal agencies to "protect men and women as biologically distinct sexes."  Plaintiff, a transgender woman and data scientist employed by the National Security Agency (NSA), filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against Lieutenant General William J. Hartman, the Ac…

This is a lawsuit challenging enforcement of President Trump's January 20, 2025 Executive Order 14168, which, among other things, withdrew federal recognition of transgender people and instructed federal agencies to "protect men and women as biologically distinct sexes." 

Plaintiff, a transgender woman and data scientist employed by the National Security Agency (NSA), filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against Lieutenant General William J. Hartman, the Acting Director of the NSA, in his official capacity. She sought declaratory relief, injunctive relief to enjoin the NSA from implementing or enforcing President Trump's January 20, 2025 Executive Order 14168 and related memos and policies, damages, and a jury trial under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for sex-based discrimination and a hostile work environment. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiff alleged that, following the Executive Order, the NSA implemented a series of policies that systematically stripped transgender employees of workplace protections, which created a severe and pervasive hostile work environment that interfered with her ability to perform her job. Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby presided over this case.

As of March 15, 2026, the case is ongoing. 

Summary Authors

Ashley Hamilton (3/15/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72068457/parties/oneill-v-rudd/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Green, Rachel E. (Maryland)

LaGarde, Matthew (Maryland)

Peterson-Fisher, Rebecca (Maryland)

Rothberg, Isabel (Maryland)

Attorney for Defendant

Farber, Molissa Heather (Maryland)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

1:25-cv-04228

Complaint for Damages and Injunctive Relief

O'Neill v. Hartmann

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72068457/oneill-v-rudd/

Last updated July 22, 2026, 3:40 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Dec. 22, 2025

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AMDDC-12434154.), filed by Sarah O'Neill. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

1 Summons

View on RECAP

2 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

Clearinghouse
2 Dec. 22, 2025

MOTION to Waive Local Rule 102.2(a) Requirement by Sarah O'Neill (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support of Motion to Waive 102.2(a) Requirement, # 2 Text of Proposed Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion)(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

1 Memorandum in Support of Motion to Waive 102.2(a) Requirement

View on RECAP

2 Text of Proposed Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion

View on RECAP

RECAP
3 Dec. 23, 2025

Summons Issued 21 days as to William J. Hartman.(kb3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

RECAP
4 Jan. 7, 2026

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Carolyn Wheeler (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12454561.) by Sarah O'Neill(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

RECAP
5 Jan. 7, 2026

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Rebecca Peterson-Fisher (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12454579.) by Sarah O'Neill(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

RECAP
6 Jan. 7, 2026

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Rachel E. Green (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12454587.) by Sarah O'Neill(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

RECAP
7 Jan. 7, 2026

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Isabel Rothberg (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12454599.) by Sarah O'Neill(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

RECAP
8 Jan. 8, 2026

QC NOTICE: 4 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice filed by Sarah O'Neill needs to be modified. See attachment for details and corrective actions needed regarding the signature(s) on the motion. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

RECAP
9 Jan. 8, 2026

QC NOTICE: 5 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice filed by Sarah O'Neill needs to be modified. See attachment for details and corrective actions needed regarding the signature(s) on the motion. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

RECAP
10 Jan. 8, 2026

QC NOTICE: 6 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice filed by Sarah O'Neill needs to be modified. See attachment for details and corrective actions needed regarding the signature(s) on the motion. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

RECAP
11 Jan. 8, 2026

QC NOTICE: 7 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice filed by Sarah O'Neill needs to be modified. See attachment for details and corrective actions needed regarding the signature(s) on the motion. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

RECAP
12 Jan. 9, 2026

CORRECTED MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Carolyn Wheeler by Sarah O'Neill. The fee has already been paid.(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

RECAP
13 Jan. 9, 2026

CORRECTED MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Rebecca Peterson-Fisher by Sarah O'Neill. The fee has already been paid.(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

RECAP
14 Jan. 9, 2026

CORRECTED MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Rachel E. Green by Sarah O'Neill. The fee has already been paid.(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

RECAP
15 Jan. 9, 2026

CORRECTED MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Isabel Rothberg by Sarah O'Neill. The fee has already been paid.(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

RECAP
16 Jan. 9, 2026

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 12 Corrected Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Carolyn Wheeler. Directing attorney Carolyn Wheeler to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 1/9/2026. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

RECAP
17 Jan. 9, 2026

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 13 Corrected Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Rebecca Peterson-Fisher. Directing attorney Rebecca Peterson-Fisher to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 1/9/2026. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

RECAP
18 Jan. 9, 2026

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 14 Corrected Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Rachel E. Green. Directing attorney Rachel E. Green to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 1/9/2026. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

RECAP
19 Jan. 9, 2026

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 15 Corrected Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Isabel Rothberg. Directing attorney Isabel Rothberg to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 1/9/2026. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

RECAP
20 Jan. 29, 2026

RETURN DOCUMENT ORDER. Signed by Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby on 1/21/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Returned Document)(kb3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

1 Returned Document

View on RECAP

RECAP
21 March 18, 2026

NOTICE by Sarah O'Neill re 1 Complaint Summons for U.S. Attorney General. (LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

RECAP
22 March 18, 2026

NOTICE by Sarah O'Neill re 1 Complaint Summons for U.S. Attorney. (LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

RECAP
23 March 19, 2026

Summons Issued 60 days as to, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Summons)(kb3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/19/2026)

RECAP
24 March 20, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Sarah O'Neill. William J. Hartman served on 3/20/2026, answer due 5/19/2026.(LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 03/20/2026)

RECAP
25 March 20, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Sarah O'Neill. (LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 03/20/2026)

RECAP
26 March 20, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Sarah O'Neill. (LaGarde, Matthew) (Entered: 03/20/2026)

RECAP
27 March 23, 2026

NOTICE (AMENDED) by Sarah O'Neill re 25 Summons Returned Executed as to USA (LaGarde, Matthew) Modified on 3/25/2026 (kb3s). (Entered: 03/23/2026)

RECAP
28 March 23, 2026

NOTICE (AMENDED) by Sarah O'Neill re 24 Summons Returned Executed as to USA (LaGarde, Matthew) Modified on 3/25/2026 (kb3s). (Entered: 03/23/2026)

RECAP
29 April 17, 2026

ORDER granting 2 MOTION to Waive Local Rule 102.2(a) Requirement. Signed by Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby on 4/17/2026. (kb3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/17/2026)

RECAP
30 April 20, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Molissa Heather Farber on behalf of All Defendants (Farber, Molissa) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

RECAP
31 May 19, 2026

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time by Joshua M. Rudd (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Farber, Molissa) (Entered: 05/19/2026)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

RECAP
32 May 19, 2026

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 31 Consent MOTION for Extension of Time. Signed by Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby on 5/19/2026. (kb3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 05/20/2026)

RECAP
33 July 2, 2026

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply by Joshua M. Rudd (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Farber, Molissa) (Entered: 07/02/2026)

RECAP
34 July 2, 2026

Corrected MOTION for Extension of Time (Consented) by Joshua M. Rudd (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Farber, Molissa) (Entered: 07/02/2026)

RECAP
35 July 10, 2026

STIPULATION regarding Protective Order by Joshua M. Rudd(Farber, Molissa) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

RECAP
36 July 15, 2026

PAPERLESS ORDER Denying as moot 33 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply ; granting 34 Corrected MOTION for Extension of Time (Consented). Signed by Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby on 7/15/2026. (kb3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 07/15/2026)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Maryland

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 22, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

NSA data scientist and a transgender woman

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

National Security Agency

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Other Dockets:

District of Maryland 1:25-cv-04228

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Damages

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)

Disparate Impact

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Transgender

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Transgender

Recommended Citation