Filed Date: Feb. 2, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Deirdre Hamilton, a Member of the National Mediation Board, filed a lawsuit against several high-ranking federal officials challenging her allegedly unlawful termination from her position. Hamilton had been appointed to the National Mediation Board by President Biden in 2021 and confirmed by the Senate, beginning her service in January 2022. Her three-year term ended on June 30, 2025, but she continued serving in holdover status as required by statute until a successor could be appointed. On October 8, 2025, President Trump allegedly terminated Hamilton via a one-sentence email from Mary Sprowls, an Advisor to the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, stating that her position was "terminated, effective immediately". The termination notice provided no justification and failed to cite any of the statutory grounds required for removal, which include inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance in office, or ineligibility. Hamilton sued Daniel Scavino (Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office), Mary Sprowls, Loren Sweatt (Chair of the National Mediation Board), Scott Bessent (Secretary of the Treasury), and Donald J. Trump (President of the United States), all in their official capacities. The complaint, filed on February 2, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asserts five causes of action including ultra vires violations, Administrative Procedure Act violations, and claims for declaratory and mandamus relief. Hamilton seeks declaratory relief confirming that her termination was unlawful and that she remains a Member of the National Mediation Board, along with injunctive relief, payment of wages and benefits, and attorney's fees.
The case was assigned to District Judge Ana C. Reyes.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Jinan Abufarha (2/7/2026)
Maddy Ligon (4/2/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72220072/parties/hamilton-v-scavino/
Donovan, Margaret (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72220072/hamilton-v-scavino/
Last updated April 2, 2026, 4:59 p.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Key Dates
Filing Date: Feb. 2, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Deirdre Hamilton, a Member of the National Mediation Board.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
DANIEL SCAVINO
DONALD J. TRUMP
LOREN SWEATT
MARY SPROWLS
SCOTT BESSENT
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-00290
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:
Case Summary of Hamilton v. Scavino, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47795/ (last updated 4/2/2026).