Case: Joslin v. U.S. Department of the Interior

1:26-cv-02029 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Filed Date: Feb. 23, 2026

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This is a case about a nonbinary park ranger being fired from their job after planting a pride flag on a hike in Yosemite. On February 23, 2026, a nonbinary park ranger and biologist filed suit in the United States District Court in the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs sued the United States Department of the Interior and the National Park Service ("DOI") for alleged violation of plaintiff's First Amendment and Privacy Act rights. The plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief, ask…

This is a case about a nonbinary park ranger being fired from their job after planting a pride flag on a hike in Yosemite.

On February 23, 2026, a nonbinary park ranger and biologist filed suit in the United States District Court in the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs sued the United States Department of the Interior and the National Park Service ("DOI") for alleged violation of plaintiff's First Amendment and Privacy Act rights. The plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief, asking the court to reinstate plaintiff to their position and for a judgment declaring DOI's collection and use of information about the plaintiff's protected First Amendment activity was unlawful. The case was initially assigned to Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan.

On May 20, 2025, plaintiff joined a group of trans, queer, and allied climbers to display a transgender pride flag on El Capitan, a 3,000-foot vertical granite monolith in Yosemite National Park. The flag was displayed for less than 3 hours. The following day, the Yosemite Superintendent announced a new ban on certain sized flags in over 94% of the park. On August 12, 2025, the plaintiff was terminated from their employment at the National Parks Service and became subject to criminal investigation.

DOI, on March 2, filed a motion to transfer the case the the United States Court for the Eastern District of California. Finding diminished deference to the plaintiff's forum choice because the District of Columbia had no meaningful connection to the controversy, as all material events occurred in the Eastern District of California, Judge Sooknanan ordered the case be transferred. 2026 WL 686155.

In the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, the case was assigned to District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. On March 31, plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction. As of April 18, briefing on the preliminary injunction is ongoing.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Jinan Abufarha (3/2/2026)

Haleigh Knowles (3/15/2026)

Allison Opheim (4/18/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72491415/parties/joslin-v-us-department-of-the-interior/

Judge(s)

Thurston, Jennifer L. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bailey, Clayton Louis (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Brown, Allison Ilene (District of Columbia)

Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Thurston, Jennifer L. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bailey, Clayton Louis (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Brown, Allison Ilene (District of Columbia)

Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:26-cv-00576 1:26-cv-02029	Complaint Dr. Shannon "SJ" Joslin v. U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia	Feb. 23, 2026	Feb. 23, 2026 Complaint
11 1:26-cv-00576	Memorandum Opinion Dr. Shannon "SJ" Joslin v. U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 686155

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72491415/joslin-v-us-department-of-the-interior/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:11 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing Fee $405 receipt number ADCDC-12258347) filed by SHANNON SJ JOSLIN. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Bailey, Clayton) Modified on 2/23/2026 (zmtm). (Attachment 1 replaced on 2/23/2026) (zmtm). [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/23/2026)	Feb. 23, 2026	Feb. 23, 2026 Clearinghouse
2	SEALED DOCUMENT filed by SHANNON SJ JOSLIN re 1 Complaint (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(Bailey, Clayton) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/23/2026)	Feb. 23, 2026	Feb. 23, 2026
3	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by SHANNON SJ JOSLIN. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman, # 3 Exhibit Wydman Decl. Exhibits, # 4 Declaration Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin, # 5 Exhibit Joslin Decl. Exhibits, # 6 Text of Proposed Order)(Bailey, Clayton) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/23/2026)	Feb. 23, 2026	Feb. 23, 2026
4	SUMMONS (9) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmtm) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/23/2026)	Feb. 23, 2026	Feb. 23, 2026
	Case Assigned to Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan. (zmtm) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.]	Feb. 23, 2026	Feb. 23, 2026
	MINUTE ORDER: The Plaintiff has filed a 1 Complaint and 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction but it does not yet appear that the Defendants have been served. The Court therefore ORDERS that within 48 hours of the Plaintiff effecting service, the Parties must meet and confer and file a joint status report addressing the following issues: (1) a proposed briefing schedule on the motion; (2) a statement addressing whether a hearing on the motion is necessary, and if so, three proposed dates and times for such a hearing; and (3) a statement addressing whether the Parties anticipate factual disputes between the declarants, and if so, whether the Parties believe an evidentiary hearing will be necessary to resolve the disputes and a proposal for proceeding with such a hearing, see LCvR 65.1(d). 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 Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 2/23/2026. (lcal) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.]	Feb. 23, 2026	Feb. 23, 2026
5	NOTICE of Appearance by Allison Ilene Brown on behalf of All Defendants (Brown, Allison) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/24/2026)	Feb. 24, 2026	Feb. 24, 2026
6	NOTICE of Appearance by Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel on behalf of All Defendants (Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/24/2026)	Feb. 24, 2026	Feb. 24, 2026
7	Joint STATUS REPORT Re Schedule by PAM BONDI, JESSICA BOWRON, DOUG BURGUM, ERIC GRANT, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Brown, Allison) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/25/2026)	Feb. 25, 2026	Feb. 25, 2026
	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 7 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Defendants to file their motion to transfer by March 2, 2026. The Plaintiff must file their opposition to the Defendants' Motion by March 5, 2026. The Defendants must file any reply in support of their motion by March 9, 2026. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 2/25/2026. (lcal) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.]	Feb. 25, 2026	Feb. 25, 2026
8	MOTION to Transfer Case to Eastern District of California by PAM BONDI, JESSICA BOWRON, DOUG BURGUM, ERIC GRANT, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Brown, Allison) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/02/2026)	March 2, 2026	March 2, 2026
9	Memorandum in opposition to re 8 MOTION to Transfer Case to Eastern District of California filed by SHANNON SJ JOSLIN. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Bailey, Clayton) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/05/2026)	March 5, 2026	March 5, 2026
10	REPLY to opposition to motion re 8 Motion to Transfer Case, filed by PAM BONDI, JESSICA BOWRON, DOUG BURGUM, ERIC GRANT, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Brown, Allison) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/09/2026)	March 9, 2026	March 9, 2026
11	MEMORANDUM OPINION re the Defendants' 8 Motion to Transfer. See the attached document for details. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 3/11/2026. (lcal) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/11/2026)	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026
12	ORDER granting the Defendants' 8 Motion to Transfer. See the 11 Memorandum Opinion for details. The Clerk of the Court is directed to transfer this case to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California FORTHWITH. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 3/11/2026. (lcal) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/11/2026)	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026
13	CASE TRANSFERRED IN from District of District of Columbia; Case Number 1:26-cv-00576. (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
14	CIVIL NEW CASE DOCUMENTS ISSUED; Initial Scheduling Conference set for 7/28/2026 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 10 (EPG) before Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean. (Attachments: # 1 Standing Order, # 2 Consent Form, # 3 VDRP) (Deputy Clerk CRM) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
15	CLERK'S NOTICE to all attorneys: In order to practice in the Eastern District of California, you will need to register to be admitted to practice in this court, which can be done on www.PACER.gov. (Deputy Clerk CRM) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
16	MINUTE ORDER (Text Only Entry) Having reviewed preliminarily the docket in this matter, it appears that there is no briefing schedule for the pending motion for preliminary injunction. Thus, absent a reasonable stipulation submitted by the parties, any opposition is due March 31, 2026. Any reply is due April 10, 2026. Upon receipt of the briefing, the Court will determine if it believes a hearing would be helpful or necessary signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on March 17, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
	Minute Order	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
17	STIPULATION and PROPOSED ORDER : Briefing Schedule re Plaintiff's Transferred Complaint and Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior. Attorney Davidson, Rachel R. added. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
18	ORDER: BRIEFING SCHEDULE RE PLAINTIFF'S TRANSFERRED COMPLAINT AND MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on March 18, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026 RECAP
19	NOTICE of APPEARANCE by Marshall Mayes Searcy, III on behalf of Shannon SJ Joslin. Attorney Searcy, Marshall Mayes added. (Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026 RECAP
20	NOTICE of APPEARANCE by MacKenzie Freed on behalf of Shannon SJ Joslin. Attorney Freed, MacKenzie added. (Freed, MacKenzie) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026 RECAP
21	NOTICE of APPEARANCE by Chloe Connolly on behalf of Shannon SJ Joslin. Attorney Connolly, Chloe added. (Connolly, Chloe) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026 RECAP
22	PRO HAC VICE APPLICATION and PROPOSED ORDER submitted by Shannon SJ Joslin for attorney Clayton L. Bailey to appear Pro Hac Vice. (Filing fee $ 300, receipt number ACAEDC-13110683) (Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
23	PRO HAC VICE APPLICATION and PROPOSED ORDER submitted by Shannon SJ Joslin for attorney Paula Dinerstein to appear Pro Hac Vice. (Filing fee $ 300, receipt number ACAEDC-13110967) (Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
24	PRO HAC VICE APPLICATION and PROPOSED ORDER submitted by Shannon SJ Joslin for attorney Margaret (Emmy) Wydman to appear Pro Hac Vice. (Filing fee $ 300, receipt number ACAEDC-13111046) (Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
25	ORDER GRANTING 22 Application for Pro Hac Vice signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 3/31/2026. Added attorney Clayton Louis Bailey for Shannon SJ Joslin. The Pro Hac Vice attorney is directed to request electronic filing access through PACER. (Deputy Clerk SSA) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026
26	ORDER GRANTING 23 Application for Pro Hac Vice signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 3/31/2026. Added attorney Paula Dinerstein, PHV for Shannon SJ Joslin. The Pro Hac Vice attorney is directed to request electronic filing access through PACER. (Deputy Clerk SSA) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026
27	ORDER GRANTING 24 Application for Pro Hac Vice signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 3/31/2026. Added attorney Margaret Wydman, PHV for Shannon SJ Joslin. The Pro Hac Vice attorney is directed to request electronic filing access through PACER. (Deputy Clerk SSA) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026
28	FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior by Shannon SJ Joslin.(Connolly, Chloe) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026 RECAP
29	MOTION for PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION by Shannon SJ Joslin. Motion Hearing set for 6/9/2026 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 4 (JLT) before District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, # 2 Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman, # 3 Exhibits 1 - 42 to the Wydman Declaration, # 4 Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin, # 5 Exhibits A - E to the Joslin Declaration, # 6 Proposed Order)(Connolly, Chloe) (Entered: 03/31/2026) 1 Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction View on RECAP 2 Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman View on RECAP 3 Exhibits 1 - 42 to the Wydman Declaration View on RECAP 4 Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin View on RECAP 5 Exhibits A - E to the Joslin Declaration View on RECAP 6 Proposed Order View on RECAP	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026 RECAP
31	ORDER of RECUSAL signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 4/1/2026. New Case Number: 1:26-cv-02029-JLT-FJS. (Deputy Clerk SSA) (Entered: 04/01/2026)	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2026 RECAP
32	MINUTE ORDER (Text Only Entry) DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE COURT: MOTION for PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION currently set for 6/9/2026 has been CONTINUED to Friday, 6/12/2026 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 4 (JLT) before District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on April 1, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 04/01/2026)	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2026
	Minute Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Motion Hearing	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Transgender Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 23, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Dr. Joslin, a nonbinary former park ranger and biologist

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

National Park Service

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California

U.S. Department of Interior

U.S. Department of Justice

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-00576

Eastern District of California 1:26-cv-02029

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Transgender

LGBTQ+:

Transgender

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Joslin v. U.S. Department of the Interior, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47861/ (last updated 4/18/2026).