Case: AMERICAN OVERSIGHT v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

1:25-cv-03200 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Sept. 15, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research the case.] American Oversight, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization focused on government transparency, filed suit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on September 15, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The lawsuit stems from the Trump Administration's review of materials related to Jeffrey Epstein, during which DOJ and FBI released a two-page memo in July 2025 stating the…

[This summary is temporary while we research the case.]

American Oversight, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization focused on government transparency, filed suit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on September 15, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The lawsuit stems from the Trump Administration's review of materials related to Jeffrey Epstein, during which DOJ and FBI released a two-page memo in July 2025 stating they found no "client list," no credible evidence of blackmail, and no evidence against uncharged third parties after an "exhaustive review"⁻. American Oversight alleges that approximately 1,000 FBI personnel conducting this review were instructed to "flag" records mentioning Donald Trump, contradicting earlier statements by Attorney General Bondi about having Epstein's client list "on my desk"⁻⁻. After submitting three Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests on July 29, 2025, seeking records about training materials and guidance provided to personnel reviewing Epstein files, the defendants failed to respond within statutory timeframes⁻⁻. The organization brought two counts under FOIA alleging failure to conduct adequate searches and wrongful withholding of records, seeking court orders requiring proper searches and production of responsive documents, along with attorneys' fees⁻.

The House Oversight Committee recently voted to subpoena the recently fired Attorney General Pamela Bondi to answer questions regarding the Department’s handling of the Epstein files. American Oversight now moved for a preliminary injunction ordering the production of its requested documents ahead of the April 14 deposition. The court denied the motion on April 3, finding that the plaintiff did not carry its burden of showing that "such extraordinary relief" is warranted.

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Summary Authors

Jinan Abufarha (4/7/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71349288/parties/american-oversight-v-us-department-of-justice/

Judge(s)

Boasberg, James Emanuel (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Haddix, Elizabeth (District of Columbia)

Kronig, David (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Altabet, Jason (District of Columbia)

Chasin, Steven (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Boasberg, James Emanuel (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Haddix, Elizabeth (District of Columbia)

Kronig, David (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Altabet, Jason (District of Columbia)

Chasin, Steven (District of Columbia)

Todd, James D. (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:25-cv-03200	Complaint American Oversight v. U.S. Department of Justice	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025 Complaint
23 1:25-cv-03200	Memorandum Opinion American Oversight v. United States Department of Justice	April 3, 2026	April 3, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 914925

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71349288/american-oversight-v-us-department-of-justice/

Last updated April 18, 2026, 3:08 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11957048) filed by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons USAO, # 3 Summons Attorney General, # 4 Summons DOJ, # 5 Summons FBI, # 6 Exhibit A, # 7 Exhibit B, # 8 Exhibit C, # 9 Exhibit D, # 10 Exhibit E, # 11 Exhibit F)(Kronig, David) (Entered: 09/15/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons USAO View on PACER 3 Summons Attorney General View on PACER 4 Summons DOJ View on PACER 5 Summons FBI View on PACER 6 Exhibit A View on PACER 7 Exhibit B View on PACER 8 Exhibit C View on PACER 9 Exhibit D View on PACER 10 Exhibit E View on PACER 11 Exhibit F View on PACER	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT (Kronig, David) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
3	SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney, and U.S. Attorney General. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent) (zjd) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025
	Case Assigned to Chief Judge James E. Boasberg. (zjd)	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025
4	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION served on 9/18/2025; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 9/19/2025 (Kronig, David) (Entered: 10/23/2025)	Oct. 23, 2025	Oct. 23, 2025
5	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 9/19/2025., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 9/16/2025. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 10/16/2025.) (See Docket Entry 4 to view document). (znmw) (Entered: 10/27/2025)	Oct. 23, 2025	Oct. 23, 2025
	Summons Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney General AND Summons Returned Executed in FOIA case as to U.S. Attorney	Oct. 27, 2025	Oct. 27, 2025
6	NOTICE of Appearance by Jason Altabet on behalf of All Defendants (Altabet, Jason) (Entered: 12/08/2025)	Dec. 8, 2025	Dec. 8, 2025
7	MOTION to Strike 1 Complaint, by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Altabet, Jason) (Entered: 12/08/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	Dec. 8, 2025	Dec. 8, 2025 RECAP
8	Memorandum in opposition to re 7 MOTION to Strike 1 Complaint, filed by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Kronig, David) (Entered: 12/19/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	Dec. 19, 2025	Dec. 19, 2025 RECAP
9	REPLY to opposition to motion re 7 Motion to Strike filed by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Altabet, Jason) (Entered: 12/26/2025)	Dec. 26, 2025	Dec. 26, 2025 RECAP
10	MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER: The court ORDERS that: 1) Defendants' 7 Motion to Strike is DENIED; and Defendants shall respond to the Complaint by February 2, 2026. Signed by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on January 21, 2026. (lcjeb2) (Entered: 01/21/2026)	Jan. 21, 2026	Jan. 21, 2026 RECAP
	Set/Reset Deadlines: Responses due by 2/2/2026. (znbn)	Jan. 21, 2026	Jan. 21, 2026
	Set/Reset Deadlines	Jan. 22, 2026	Jan. 22, 2026
	Set/Reset Deadlines: Responses due by 2/2/2026. (znbn)	Jan. 22, 2026	Jan. 22, 2026
11	ANSWER to Complaint by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Altabet, Jason) (Entered: 02/02/2026)	Feb. 2, 2026	Feb. 2, 2026 RECAP
	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines	Feb. 3, 2026	Feb. 3, 2026
	MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that the parties shall confer and submit a joint proposed briefing schedule by February 17, 2026. So ORDERED by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on February 3, 2026. (lcjeb2)	Feb. 3, 2026	Feb. 3, 2026
12	NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth Haddix on behalf of AMERICAN OVERSIGHT (Haddix, Elizabeth) (Main Document 12 replaced on 2/13/2026) (znmw). (Entered: 02/12/2026)	Feb. 12, 2026	Feb. 12, 2026
13	Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Altabet, Jason) (Entered: 02/17/2026)	Feb. 17, 2026	Feb. 17, 2026 RECAP
	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines	Feb. 18, 2026	Feb. 18, 2026
	MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 13 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report on March 27, 2026. So ORDERED by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on February 18, 2026. (lcjeb2)	Feb. 18, 2026	Feb. 18, 2026
14	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Haddix Decl, # 2 Exhibit Att. 1, # 3 Exhibit Att. 2, # 4 Memorandum in Support, # 5 Exhibit Ex 1, # 6 Exhibit Ex 2, # 7 Exhibit Ex 3, # 8 Text of Proposed Order)(Haddix, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/16/2026) 1 View on RECAP 4 View on RECAP	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026 RECAP
15	NOTICE of Appearance by Steven Chasin on behalf of FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Chasin, Steven) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026 RECAP
16	PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE re 14 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Joint) by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Chasin, Steven) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026 RECAP
	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
	MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 16 Joint Proposed Briefing Schedule and ORDERS that: (1) Defendants shall file their Opposition by March 24, 2026; (2) Plaintiff shall file its Reply by March 26, 2026; and (3) the Court shall hold a hearing on the Motion over Zoom on March 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. So ORDERED by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on March 18, 2026. (lcjeb2)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
17	Memorandum in opposition to re 14 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Affidavit Vanessa R. Brinkmann, # 3 Affidavit Amie Marie Napier)(Chasin, Steven) (Entered: 03/24/2026)	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026
18	REPLY to opposition to motion re 14 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, filed by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Second Haddix Decl., # 2 Exhibit Attach. 1)(Haddix, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
19	NOTICE of Appearance by James D. Todd, Jr on behalf of All Defendants (Todd, James) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
20	Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Todd, James) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026 RECAP
	MINUTE ORDER: The public may access the hearing scheduled at 11:00 a.m. on March 30, 2026, by calling 833-990-9400 and using Meeting ID 049550816. So ORDERED by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on March 30, 2026. (lcjeb2)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
	.Order	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
	Motion Hearing	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
	MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 20 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by May 11, 2026. So ORDERED by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on March 30, 2026. (lcjeb2)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge James E. Boasberg: Motion Hearing held via Zoom (public access line connected) on March 30, 2026, re 14 Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by American Oversight. Oral arguments submitted; motion taken under advisement. (Court Reporter Jeff Hook) (znbn)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
21	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. Attorney David Kronig terminated. (Kronig, David) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026
22	ORDER: For the reasons set forth in the accompanying Memorandum Opinion, the Court ORDERS that Plaintiff's 14 Motion for Preliminary Injunction is DENIED. Signed by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on April 3, 2026. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 04/03/2026)	April 3, 2026	April 3, 2026 RECAP
23	MEMORANDUM OPINION re 22 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on April 3, 2026. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 04/03/2026)	April 3, 2026	April 3, 2026 Clearinghouse
24	Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance	April 8, 2026	April 8, 2026
25	NOTICE of Appearance by Benjamin A. Sparks on behalf of AMERICAN OVERSIGHT (Sparks, Benjamin) (Entered: 04/09/2026)	April 9, 2026	April 9, 2026
26	Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance	April 16, 2026	April 16, 2026 RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Privacy

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 15, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-03200

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of AMERICAN OVERSIGHT v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48062/ (last updated 4/7/2026).