Case: Porwancher v. National Endowment for the Humanities

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405, receipt number 209438) filed by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons)(zdp) (Entered: 04/18/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

2 Summons

View on RECAP

3 Summons

View on RECAP

4 Summons

View on RECAP

5 Summons

View on RECAP

MOTION for CM/ECF Password by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit)(zdp) (Entered: 04/18/2025)

Summons Issued as to AUSA,USAG

SUMMONS (4) Issued as to MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY and U.S. Attorney (zdp)

NEW Pro Se Consent To Receive Notices of Electronic Filing by ANDREW PORWANCHER (znmw) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE filed by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons)(znmw) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

SUMMONS (4) Reissued Electronically as to All Defendants and U.S. Attorney (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmw) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

AFFIDAVIT of Mailing re 1 Complaint by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Affidavit, # 3 Affidavit)(zdp) (Entered: 05/05/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY served on 5/6/2025 (zdp) (Entered: 05/08/2025)

AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by ANDREW PORWANCHER. ( # 1 Redline Complaint) (zdp). Modified docket text on 6/3/2025 (zdp). (Entered: 06/03/2025)

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit, # 14 Exhibit, # 15 Exhibit, # 16 Exhibit, # 17 Exhibit, # 18 Exhibit, # 19 Proposed Order, # 20 Exhibit, # 21 Exhibit, # 22 Exhibit, # 23 Exhibit, # 24 Exhibit)(zdp) (Entered: 06/03/2025)

1

View on RECAP

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. MICHAEL MCDONALD served on 5/5/2025 (zdp) (Entered: 06/03/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Kimberly Stratton on behalf of All Defendants (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 06/03/2025)

Scheduling Order

MINUTE ORDER. In light of Plaintiff's 9 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, it is hereby ORDERED that on or before 6/9/2025, the Parties shall meet, confer, and file a Joint Status Report addressing the following issues: (1) a proposed briefing schedule for Plaintiff's 9 Motion; (2) a statement addressing whether a hearing on Plaintiff's 9 Motion is necessary, and if so, a proposed date and time for such a hearing; and (3) a statement addressing whether the Parties anticipate factual disputes between affiants. The Parties may also address any other issues that they believe will be helpful to the Court. Any disagreements should be noted in the Joint Status Report. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 6/3/2025 (lccjn3) (Entered: 6/3/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES served on 6/4/2025 (zdp) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 4/25/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 6/24/2025. (zdp) (Entered: 06/06/2025)

Joint STATUS REPORT by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 06/09/2025)

Memorandum in opposition to re 9 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 06/10/2025)

1 Declaration

View on PACER

Scheduling Order

MINUTE ORDER: Pursuant to the parties' 14 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED nunc pro tunc that the Government will file its opposition to Plaintiff's 9 Motion for Preliminary Injunction on 6/10/2025; Plaintiff's reply shall be due on 6/17/2025. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 6/11/2025 (lccjn3) (Entered: 6/11/2025)

Order on Motion for CM/ECF Password

MINUTE ORDER: It is ORDERED that Plaintiff's 2 Motion for CM/ECF Password is GRANTED. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 6/15/2025 (lccjn3) (Entered: 6/15/2025)

REPLY to opposition to motion re 9 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, filed by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (zdp) (Entered: 06/17/2025)

Scheduling Order

MINUTE ORDER: The Parties are ordered to appear on 7/1/2025 at 11:00 AM for a remote video hearing regarding Plaintiff's 9 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 6/20/2025 (lccjn3) (Entered: 6/20/2025)

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 06/21/2025)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines

MINUTE ORDER: It is ORDERED that Defendants' 17 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer is GRANTED. Defendants shall respond to Plaintiff's 1 Complaint on or before 8/8/2025. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 6/24/2025 (lccjn3) (Entered: 6/24/2025)

MINUTE ORDER: It is ORDERED that the remote video hearing scheduled for 7/1/2025 at 11:00am EST is continued to 7/2/2025 at 9:30am EST. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 6/30/2025 (lccjn3) (Entered: 6/30/2025)

Scheduling Order

Motion Hearing

Minute Entry a for proceedings held before Judge Carl J. Nichols: Preliminary Injunction Hearing held on 7/2/2025 re 9 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction; Taken Under Advisement. Further Opinion and Order to be issued by the Court. Court Reporter: Chandra Kean. (zcam)

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS before Judge Carl J. Nichols held on July 2, 2025; Page Numbers: 1-47. Date of Issuance: July 3, 2025. Court Reporter/Transcriber Chandra Kean, RMR, Telephone number 202-354-3404. Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order FormFor the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter.NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov.Redaction Request due 7/28/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 8/7/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 10/5/2025.(Kean, Chandra) (Entered: 07/07/2025)

NOTICE DEFENDANTS NOTICE REGARDING GRANT REPORTING by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 07/21/2025)

RESPONSE re 19 Notice (Other) filed by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (PORWANCHER, ANDREW) (Entered: 07/21/2025)

ORDER granting 9 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 7/25/2025. (lccjn3) (Entered: 07/25/2025)

MEMORANDUM AND OPINION. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 7/25/2025. (lccjn3) (Entered: 07/25/2025)

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 08/04/2025)

Emergency MOTION to Compel Compliance by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration of Andrew Porwancher, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E, # 7 Exhibit F, # 8 Exhibit G, # 9 Exhibit H, # 10 Exhibit I, # 11 Exhibit J, # 12 Exhibit K, # 13 Exhibit L, # 14 Exhibit M, # 15 Exhibit N, # 16 Exhibit O, # 17 Text of Proposed Order To Compel Compliance, # 18 Text of Proposed Order To Expedite Briefing)(PORWANCHER, ANDREW) (Entered: 08/04/2025)

1 Declaration Declaration of Andrew Porwancher

View on PACER

2 Exhibit A

View on PACER

3 Exhibit B

View on PACER

4 Exhibit C

View on PACER

5 Exhibit D

View on PACER

6 Exhibit E

View on PACER

7 Exhibit F

View on PACER

8 Exhibit G

View on PACER

9 Exhibit H

View on PACER

10 Exhibit I

View on PACER

11 Exhibit J

View on PACER

12 Exhibit K

View on PACER

13 Exhibit L

View on PACER

14 Exhibit M

View on PACER

15 Exhibit N

View on PACER

16 Exhibit O

View on PACER

17 Text of Proposed Order To Compel Compliance

View on PACER

18 Text of Proposed Order To Expedite Briefing

View on PACER

RESPONSE re 23 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer filed by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (PORWANCHER, ANDREW) (Entered: 08/05/2025)

Scheduling Order

MINUTE ORDER: It is ORDERED that Defendants shall submit a response to Plaintiffs 24 Emergency Motion on or before 8/8/2025. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 8/5/2025 (lccjn3) (Entered: 8/5/2025)

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 24 Emergency MOTION to Compel Compliance by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 08/06/2025)

RESPONSE re 26 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 24 Emergency MOTION to Compel Compliance filed by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)(PORWANCHER, ANDREW) (Entered: 08/06/2025)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply AND Set/Reset Deadlines

MINUTE ORDER: It is ORDERED that Defendants' 26 Motion for Extension of Time is GRANTED. Defendants shall submit their response on or before 8/12/2025. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 8/7/2025 (lccjn3) (Entered: 8/7/2025)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines

MINUTE ORDER: It is ORDERED that Defendants' 23 Motion for Extension of Time is GRANTED IN PART. Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint on or before 9/7/2025. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 8/8/2025 (lccjn3) (Entered: 8/8/2025)

RESPONSE re 24 Emergency MOTION to Compel Compliance filed by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 08/12/2025)

REPLY to opposition to motion re 24 Motion to Compel,, filed by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(PORWANCHER, ANDREW) (Entered: 08/14/2025)

NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORITY by ANDREW PORWANCHER (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)(PORWANCHER, ANDREW) (Entered: 08/22/2025)

ORDER denying 24 Motion to Compel. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 8/25/2025. (lccjn3) (Entered: 08/25/2025)

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 8 Amended Complaint by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 09/04/2025)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines

MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of Defendants' 32 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to Answer, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to 8 Plaintiff's Amended Complaint on or before November 6, 2025. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 09/17/2025. (lccjn3)

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines

MINUTE ORDER. Defendants' 33 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer is GRANTED. Defendants shall file an answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's expected second amended complaint within 14 days of the filing of that new pleading. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 12/26/2025. (lccjn3)

AMENDED COMPLAINT against MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES filed by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Redline Complaint)(PORWANCHER, ANDREW) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by ANDREW PORWANCHER. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Exhibit A, # 4 Exhibit B, # 5 Exhibit C, # 6 Exhibit D, # 7 Exhibit E, # 8 Exhibit F, # 9 Exhibit G, # 10 Exhibit H, # 11 Exhibit I, # 12 Exhibit J, # 13 Exhibit K, # 14 Exhibit L, # 15 Exhibit M, # 16 Exhibit N, # 17 Exhibit O, # 18 Exhibit P, # 19 Exhibit Q, # 20 Exhibit R, # 21 Exhibit S, # 22 Exhibit T, # 23 Exhibit U, # 24 Exhibit V, # 25 Text of Proposed Order)(PORWANCHER, ANDREW) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

MINUTE ORDER. In light of Plaintiff's 35 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, it is hereby ORDERED that on or before January 13, 2026, the Parties shall meet, confer, and file a Joint Status Report addressing the following issues: (1) a proposed briefing schedule for Plaintiff's 35 Motion; (2) a statement addressing whether a hearing on Plaintiff's 35 Motion is necessary, and if so, a proposed date and time for such a hearing; and (3) a statement addressing whether the Parties anticipate factual disputes between affiants. The Parties may also address any other issues that they believe will be helpful to the Court. Any disagreements should be noted in the Joint Status Report. The 14-day deadline by which Defendants must respond to Plaintiff's 34 Amended Complaint remains in effect. See Minute Order of December 26, 2025. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/09/2026. (lccjn3)

Joint STATUS REPORT by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES. (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by MICHAEL MCDONALD, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. (Stratton, Kimberly) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines

MINUTE ORDER. Defendants' 37 Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer is GRANTED. It is ORDERED that Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's 34 Amended Complaint on or before February 19, 2026. Further, upon consideration of the 36 Joint Status Report, the Court agrees with the Parties' proposal to defer the briefing on 35 Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction to allow the Parties to continue their discussions. The Parties are thus ORDERED to file a Joint Status Report on or before February 3, 2026, that (1) updates the Court on the status of their discussions, and (2) if necessary, proposes a briefing schedule for 35 Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/16/2026. (lccjn3)

Status Report

Order Referring Case to Mediation (Mediation Program)

.Order