Filed Date: March 6, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case challenges the State Department’s alleged failure to publish required text and legal authority information pertaining to international agreements as required by the amended Case-Zablocki Act.
On March 6, 2026, The Lawfare Institute, a non-profit organization, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of the District of Columbia. The Lawfare Institute sued the U.S. Department of State under the Administrative Procedure Act and Paperwork Reduction Act, with mandamus as an alternative. Represented by counsel from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the Lawfare Institute alleged that the State Department failed to publish text and legal authority information pertaining to covered international agreements since July 2025 following a Reduction in Force (RIF) in the State Department as a part of the Trump Administration’s “Workforce Optimization Initiative” as outlined in Executive Order 14210. These international agreements allegedly include matters such as deportation deals with Central American Countries and Middle East defense agreements. The Lawfare Institute alleged that these disclosures were required by the amended Case-Zablocki Act, which provides that both binding and non-binding international agreements must be disclosed publicly, with some limited exceptions, such as national security. The Lawfare Institute sought a court order compelling the State Department to comply with the amended Act and backdating of all overdue materials, and attorney fees.
The case was originally assigned to Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on March 6, 2026, but was reassigned to Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on March 9 after Judge Friedrich recused herself.
The State Department has until June 8, 2026, to respond to the complaint.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Kara Wilczynski (6/2/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72372567/parties/lawfare-institute-v-united-states-department-of-state/
Boasberg, James Emanuel (District of Columbia)
Desta, Yoseph T. (District of Columbia)
Sus, Nikhel (District of Columbia)
Berman, Keri Lane (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72372567/lawfare-institute-v-united-states-department-of-state/
Last updated June 21, 2026, 3:19 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 6, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Non-profit organization specializing in international affairs publication, specifically as it pertains to national security law and policy
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
United States Department of State
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-00798
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:
Case Summary of Lawfare Institute v. United States Department of State, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47874/ (last updated 6/2/2026).