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 case challenges the U.S. Department of Justice’s alleged failure to disclose records concerning its review of files related to Jeffrey Epstein pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, and raised concerns regarding government transparency and accountability in a matter of public interest. 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 Septembe…

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 the 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 alleged 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 the plaintiff made 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. American Oversight brought two counts under FOIA, alleging failure to conduct adequate searches and wrongful withholding of records. They sought court orders requiring proper searches and production of responsive documents, along with attorneys' fees. The case was assigned to Chief Judge James E. Boasberg.

On March 4, 2026, the House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Pamela Bondi to answer questions regarding the Department’s handling of the Epstein files. On March 16, American Oversight then moved for a preliminary injunction ordering the production of its requested documents ahead of Bondi’s 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 because it did not make any argument that demonstrated it was entitled to an expedited review or that it would suffer irreparable harm if it was denied access to information after the hearing. 2026 WL 914925.

On May 15, 2026 following a status hearing, the Court ordered the DOJ and FBI to produce at least 350 pages of relevant information per month, beginning on May 29. The parties were asked to submit a joint status report every 60 days beginning on July 15, 2026.

As of June 26, 2026, this case remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Kara Wilczynski (6/29/2026)

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

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:25-cv-03200	Complaint American Oversight v. U.S. Department of Justice	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025 Complaint
10 1:25-cv-03200	Order AMERICAN OVERSIGHT v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE et al.	Jan. 21, 2026	Jan. 21, 2026 Order/Opinion
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 Sept. 27, 2026, 3:20 a.m.

Docket for: AMERICAN OVERSIGHT v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Sept. 15, 2025	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	Clearinghouse
2	Sept. 15, 2025	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT (Kronig, David) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	RECAP
3	Sept. 16, 2025	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)	RECAP
	Sept. 16, 2025	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	Sept. 16, 2025	Case Assigned to Chief Judge James E. Boasberg. (zjd)
4	Oct. 23, 2025	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)	RECAP
5	Oct. 23, 2025	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)	RECAP
	Oct. 27, 2025	Summons Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney General AND Summons Returned Executed in FOIA case as to U.S. Attorney
6	Dec. 8, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Jason Altabet on behalf of All Defendants (Altabet, Jason) (Entered: 12/08/2025)	RECAP
7	Dec. 8, 2025	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	RECAP
8	Dec. 19, 2025	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	RECAP
9	Dec. 26, 2025	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)	RECAP
10	Jan. 21, 2026	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)	Clearinghouse
	Jan. 21, 2026	Set/Reset Deadlines: Responses due by 2/2/2026. (znbn)
	Jan. 22, 2026	Set/Reset Deadlines
	Jan. 22, 2026	Set/Reset Deadlines: Responses due by 2/2/2026. (znbn)
11	Feb. 2, 2026	ANSWER to Complaint by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Altabet, Jason) (Entered: 02/02/2026)	RECAP
	Feb. 3, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	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)
12	Feb. 12, 2026	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)	RECAP
13	Feb. 17, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Altabet, Jason) (Entered: 02/17/2026)	RECAP
	Feb. 18, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	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)
14	March 16, 2026	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	RECAP
15	March 17, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Steven Chasin on behalf of FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Chasin, Steven) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	RECAP
16	March 18, 2026	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)	RECAP
	March 18, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings
	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)
17	March 24, 2026	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)	RECAP
18	March 26, 2026	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)	RECAP
19	March 27, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by James D. Todd, Jr on behalf of All Defendants (Todd, James) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
20	March 27, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Todd, James) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
	March 30, 2026	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	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	March 30, 2026	.Order
	March 30, 2026	Motion Hearing
	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	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)
21	March 31, 2026	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. Attorney David Kronig terminated. (Kronig, David) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	RECAP
22	April 3, 2026	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)	RECAP
23	April 3, 2026	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)	Clearinghouse
24	April 8, 2026	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Attorney Steven Chasin terminated. (Chasin, Steven) (Entered: 04/08/2026)	RECAP
25	April 9, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Benjamin A. Sparks on behalf of AMERICAN OVERSIGHT (Sparks, Benjamin) (Entered: 04/09/2026)	RECAP
26	April 16, 2026	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Attorney Jason Altabet terminated. (Altabet, Jason) (Entered: 04/16/2026)	RECAP
27	May 11, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Todd, James) (Entered: 05/11/2026)	RECAP
28	May 12, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT Amended by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Todd, James) (Entered: 05/12/2026)	RECAP
	May 12, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings
	May 12, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that the parties shall appear for a Zoom hearing on May 15 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the issues raised in their 28 Joint Status Report. So ORDERED by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on May 12, 2026. (lcjeb2)
	May 15, 2026	Status Conference
	May 15, 2026	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge James E. Boasberg: Status Conference held via Zoom on May 15, 2026. Forthcoming Minute Order. (Court Reporter Tammy Nestor) (znbn)
	May 15, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	May 15, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: As discussed at today's hearing, the Court ORDERS that: 1) OIP shall process and FBI shall produce at least 350 pages per month and shall make releases of non-exempt material by the last business day of each month, beginning on May 29, 2026; and 2) The parties shall submit Joint Status Reports every 60 days beginning on July 15, 2026. So ORDERED by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on May 15, 2026. (lcjeb2)
29	June 25, 2026	TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS before Chief Judge James E. Boasberg held on 5/15/26; Page Numbers: 1-10. Court Reporter/Transcriber Tammy Nestor, tammy_nestor@dcd.uscourts.gov, Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order FormFor the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter.NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 7/16/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 7/26/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 9/23/2026.(Nestor, Tammy) (Entered: 06/25/2026)	RECAP
30	July 15, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Todd, James) (Entered: 07/15/2026)	RECAP
	Aug. 4, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
	Aug. 4, 2026	MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 30 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by September 14, 2026. So ORDERED by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on August 4, 2026. (lcjeb2)
31	Sept. 14, 2026	Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Todd, James) (Entered: 09/14/2026)	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

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiff is a non-profit organization with a focus on government transparency

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

Federal Bureau of Investigation

United States Department of Justice

Case Details

Causes of Action:

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552

Other Dockets:

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

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Document/Information

Relief Granted:

Document/information produced

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

General/Misc.:

Records Disclosure

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).