Case: Democracy Forward Foundation v. Federal Bureau of Investigation
1:26-cv-02075 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: June 11, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This is a case aimed at compelling the federal government’s compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) so that Democracy Forward Foundation, a nonprofit focused on government transparency, could secure documents related to the alleged inappropriate behaviors of FBI Director Kash Patel during his time in office.
On June 11, 2026, Democracy Forward Foundation filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. This case was assigned to District Judge Randolph Daniel Moss.
The plaintiff sued the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the FOIA. The FOIA requests stem from an April 2026 report in The Atlantic alleging that FBI Director Kash Patel’s time in office had been marked by “excessive drinking” and “unexplained absences,” that his security team had on at least one occasion employed breaching equipment to reach him since he was unresponsive behind locked doors, and that he had rescheduled meetings that allegedly jeopardized his ability to do his job (Director Patel strongly disputed the claims in a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the publication). The plaintiff alleged that the defendants failed to provide timely determinations on its FOIA requests and improperly denied expedited processing for four of the five requests, despite the plaintiff's argument that the matters raised exceptional media interest and government integrity concerns. The plaintiff brought two counts under FOIA seeking court orders compelling the FBI and DOJ to search for and produce all non-exempt responsive records, grant expedited processing, provide explanations for why certain materials were withheld or redacted, and award costs and attorneys' fees.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Trump2.0 Collection (6/14/2026)
Sela Adegbile (10/8/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73472005/parties/democracy-forward-foundation-v-federal-bureau-of-investigation/
Moss, Randolph Daniel (District of Columbia)
Fein, Ronald A. (District of Columbia)
Hindocha, Anisha (District of Columbia)
McGrath, Daniel Alexander (District of Columbia)
Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73472005/democracy-forward-foundation-v-federal-bureau-of-investigation/
Last updated Nov. 7, 2026, 3:29 a.m.
Docket for: DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Public Benefits/Government Services
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 1.0 & 2.0 FOIA cases
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 11, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A nonprofit focused on government transparency
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Kash Patel
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-02075
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Case Summary of Democracy Forward Foundation v. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48223/ (last updated 10/8/2026).