Filed Date: March 18, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding in progress
[This summary is temporary while we research the case.]
The Center for Biological Diversity filed suit against Douglas Burgum in his official capacity as Secretary of the Interior on March 18, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint challenges the Department of the Interior's March 13, 2026 notice announcing that the Endangered Species Committee (the "God Squad") would meet on March 31, 2026, regarding an ESA exemption for "Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities"⁻⁻. The Center alleges the Secretary unlawfully convened this meeting without meeting statutory prerequisites, specifically that no expert agency had determined Gulf oil and gas activities violate Section 7(a) of the ESA with no reasonable and prudent alternatives available⁻⁻. The organization also contends the notice violated public notification and access requirements under the ESA⁻⁻. The plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the scheduled meeting and future non-compliant meetings, as well as mandamus compelling ESA compliance.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Jinan Abufarha (3/22/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72507464/parties/center-for-biological-diversity-v-burgum/
Contreras, Rudolph (District of Columbia)
Glitzenstein, Eric Robert (District of Columbia)
Monsell, Kristen (District of Columbia)
Segee, Brian Paul (District of Columbia)
Warren, Sara (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72507464/center-for-biological-diversity-v-burgum/
Last updated March 23, 2026, 3:05 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 18, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Case Details
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-00940
Available Documents:
Case Summary of CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY v. BURGUM, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47950/ (last updated 3/22/2026).