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 in progress
Case Summary
[This summary is temporary while we research the case]. A nonprofit focused on government transparency filed suit on June 11, 2026, against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint arose from the plaintiff's submission of five Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the FBI and DOJ's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) between March and April 2026, seeking records related to FBI Director Kash Patel's conduct. Those requests followed an April 2026 report in The Atlantic alleging that Director Patel's tenure had been marked by "excessive drinking," "unexplained absences," and rescheduled meetings, and that his security team had on at least one occasion employed breaching equipment to reach him—allegations Director Patel disputed 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 5 U.S.C. § 552, seeking court orders compelling the FBI and DOJ to search for and produce all non-exempt responsive records, grant expedited processing, provide a Vaughn index of any withheld materials, and award costs and attorneys' fees.
Summary Authors
Trump2.0 Collection (6/14/2026)
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 Sept. 17, 2026, 3:20 a.m.
Docket for: DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Case Details
State / Territory:
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
Defendant 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
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 6/14/2026).