Case: Protect Democracy Project v. Internal Revenue Service
1:26-cv-01486 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: April 29, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case seeks records concerning the Internal Revenue Service’s implementation of executive branch domestic-terrorism directives.
On April 29, 2026, Protect Democracy Project, a nonpartisan organization, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Declaratory Judgment Act. Represented by attorneys from American Oversight, Protect Democracy alleged that Defendants failed to conduct an adequate search for records responsive to its FOIA request and unlawfully withheld responsive non-exempt records concerning implementation of President Trump’s executive order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and National Security Presidential Memorandum 7. The FOIA request on which the lawsuit was based was filed December 19, 2025; it sought records concerning implementation of President Trump’s September 22, 2025 Executive Order, “Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization,” and National Security Presidential Memorandum 7. The request sought directives, memoranda, guidance, policies, and similar records concerning the implementation of those directives, while excluding taxpayer-specific return information. On January 12, 2026, the IRS informed Protect Democracy that it had conducted a search and located no responsive records. On March 12, 2026, Protect Democracy administratively appealed that determination, arguing that the IRS had failed to conduct an adequate search. Although the IRS acknowledged receipt of the appeal and later informed Protect Democracy that it expected to complete its review of the appeal by April 28, 2026, it did not issue a final determination before this lawsuit was filed. In this lawsuit, Protect Democracy Project sought declaratory and injunctive relief requiring adequate searches, production of responsive records, a Vaughn index justifying any withholdings, and payment of attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. The case was assigned to District Judge Ana C. Reyes.
As of June 2026, no substantive rulings have been made, and the case remains ongoing.
Summary Authors
Niam Vora (6/16/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73262025/parties/protect-democracy-project-v-internal-revenue-service/
Lewis, Emma (District of Columbia)
Martinez, Daniel Havlir (District of Columbia)
Atras, Robert J. (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73262025/protect-democracy-project-v-internal-revenue-service/
Last updated Sept. 28, 2026, 3:17 a.m.
Docket for: PROTECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT v. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Public Benefits/Government Services
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 29, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Nonpartisan nonprofit organization seeking records concerning Internal Revenue Service implementation of executive branch domestic-terrorism directives.
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
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-01486
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Case Summary of Protect Democracy Project v. Internal Revenue Service, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48184/ (last updated 6/16/2026).