Filed Date: Jan. 7, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case is an attempt by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization to obtain records related to the demolition of the White House East Wing and the handling of asbestos.
On January 7, 2026, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) sued the National Park Service (“NPS”), Department of Interior (“DOI”), Department of Labor (“DOL”), Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Executive Office of the President (“EOP”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking records related to the October 2025 demolition of the White House East Wing and the handling of potentially hazardous asbestos materials under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). In its complaint, the plaintiff sought to compel the government to release records concerning the 2025 demolition of the wing, which was razed to build a new state ballroom. The plaintiff alleged that the historic structure contained hazardous asbestos fibers that may not have been handled according to safety and environmental regulations. In November 2025, the ADAO filed comprehensive FOIA requests with nine federal offices and agencies with possible involvement in the East Wing demolition. According to its complaint, the ADAO received only one response to these requests and no information was provided about hazardous material identification and abatement during the demolition. The ADAO argues that this lack of transparency violated FOIA, endangered public health and ignored established laws designed to protect workers and the community. Consequently, the organization requested that the court declare that the defendants wrongfully withheld the requested documents and mandate the immediate production of all relevant records and safety assessments, as well as identify any and all documents withheld under an exemption to FOIA with a detailed justification of why each exemption applies.
On February 9, 2026, the plaintiff moved for summary judgment, arguing that they are entitled to judgment because there is no dispute that (i) defendants received plaintiff’s FOIA request, (ii) the 20 day statutory deadline has passed for their responses and (iii) they have failed to make the “determinations” required under FOIA by that deadline. The motion therefore sought an order compelling the three defendants to make determinations on the FOIA requests within 10 working days and then produce responsive documents within 15 working days thereafter.
On February 17, 2026, NPS filed a motion to stay the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. The agency argued that by filing their motion for summary judgment before the agency had filed a responsive pleading or a threshold motion to dismiss the complaint and before the defendants had completed their searches and processing of potentially responsive records, the plaintiff invited the court to bypass the early stages of this action. NPS asked the court to stay or deny the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment without prejudice as premature.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Sofia Yoder (2/21/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72112184/parties/asbestos-disease-awareness-association-v-national-park-service/
Leon, Richard J. (District of Columbia)
Sussman, Robert Matthew (District of Columbia)
Jones, Sian (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72112184/asbestos-disease-awareness-association-v-national-park-service/
Last updated March 12, 2026, 3:13 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 7, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Department of the Interior
Environmental Protection Agency
Executive Office of the President
National Park Service
U.S. Department of Labor
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 1:26-cv-00029
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Case Summary of Asbestos Disease Awareness Association v. National Park Service, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47630/ (last updated 2/21/2026).