Case: McGonigle v. Curran

1:26-cv-00349 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maine

Filed Date: July 7, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case challenging the federal government's exclusion of a critic of the Vice President from official government events. On July 7, 2026, a Massachusetts resident filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. The plaintiff sued the Executive Office of the President, U.S. Secret Service, and multiple federal officials in their official capacities, asserting First Amendment violations. Represented by the ACLU, the plaintiff alleged that federal officials exclude…

This is a case challenging the federal government's exclusion of a critic of the Vice President from official government events.

On July 7, 2026, a Massachusetts resident filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. The plaintiff sued the Executive Office of the President, U.S. Secret Service, and multiple federal officials in their official capacities, asserting First Amendment violations. Represented by the ACLU, the plaintiff alleged that federal officials excluded her from official events hosted by the Vice President. The plaintiff – who operated social media accounts that were critical of the Vice President – registered to attend task force events in Des Moines, Iowa and Bangor, Maine in May 2026, but was denied entry to both. While she received no confirmation for the Des Moines event, she was explicitly singled out and barred by armed U.S. Secret Service officers in Bangor, allegedly due to her critical viewpoint. The plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief barring the defendants from excluding her from official vice presidential events in retaliation for her protected speech and expression or based on her viewpoint, and attorney’s fees. The case was assigned to District Judge John C. Nivison.

As of August 20, 2026, this case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Alexis Gil (8/21/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73583020/parties/mcgonigle-v-curran/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

BOND, EMMA E. (Maine)

GARVAN, CAROL (Maine)

HAUSS, BRIAN MATTHEW (Maine)

HEIDEN, ZACHARY L. (Maine)

MORAFF, LAURA (Maine)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

1:26-cv-00349

Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

McGonigle v. Curran et al.

July 7, 2026

July 7, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73583020/mcgonigle-v-curran/

Last updated Oct. 25, 2026, 3:19 a.m.

Docket for: MCGONIGLE v. CURRAN
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 July 7, 2026

COMPLAINT filed by AMANDA MCGONIGLE against SEAN M CURRAN, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, JOHN HILLER, UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE. PAYMENT OF FILING FEE DUE WITHIN 48 HOURS. To pay with credit card counsel are instructed to login to CM/ECF and select Pay Fee found under the Other Documents category. Payment of Filing Fee due by 7/9/2026. Service of Process Deadline 10/5/2026(mtm) (Entered: 07/07/2026)

Clearinghouse
2 July 7, 2026

CIVIL COVER SHEET. (Attachments: # 1 Additional Attachment)(mtm) (Entered: 07/07/2026)

1 Additional Attachment

View on PACER

RECAP
3 July 7, 2026

Summons Issued as to SEAN M CURRAN, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, JOHN HILLER, UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE. Counsel shall print the embossed summons and effect service in the manner in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P.4. Note-If you are using Version 6 of Adobe Acrobat, be sure the PRINT WHAT field is set to DOCUMENTS AND COMMENTS (Click File, then Print to check this setting). (Attachments: # 1 Summons - United States Secret Service, # 2 Summons - John Hiller, # 3 Summons - Executive Office of the President)(mmy) (Entered: 07/07/2026)

1 Summons - United States Secret Service

View on PACER

2 Summons - John Hiller

View on PACER

3 Summons - Executive Office of the President

View on PACER

RECAP
4 July 7, 2026

CERTIFICATION for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Brian Hauss and Laura Moraff filed by EMMA E. BOND on behalf of AMANDA MCGONIGLE (Total admission fee $ 400 receipt number AMEDC-3318336.) (Attachments: # 1 Certification for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Laura Moraff)(BOND, EMMA) (Entered: 07/07/2026)

RECAP
5 July 7, 2026

NOTICE of APPROVAL by Clerk's Office re 4 Certification for Admission Pro Hac Vice. Attorneys BRIAN HAUSS and LAURA MORAFF for AMANDA MCGONIGLE added to this specific case only. Maine has transitioned to the NextGen ECF filing system; therefore, to complete the admissions process, Attorneys Brian Hauss and Laura Moraff must register for a PACER account and/or request the appropriate e-filing rights in the District of Maine via PACER at www.pacer.uscourts.gov by 7/14/2026. NOTE: Counsel appearing Pro Hac Vice MUST click on the PRO HAC VICE link when requesting e-filing rights via PACER. For more details on NextGen/PACER go to our website at www.med.uscourts.gov. (jgd) (Entered: 07/07/2026)

RECAP
July 7, 2026

Set Deadlines/Hearings as to Attorneys Laura Moraff and Brian Hauss: Pro Hac Vice Certificate due by 7/13/2026. The Certification for Admission Pro Hac Vice form can be downloaded from our website at http://www.med.uscourts.gov/forms. (mtm)

July 7, 2026

FEE PAID: Civil Filing Fee (Amount Paid $405 receipt number AMEDC-3318323). (BOND, EMMA)

6 July 17, 2026

AFFIDAVIT of Anika Venkatesh re 3 Summons Issued,, Affidavit of Service filed by AMANDA MCGONIGLE. (BOND, EMMA) (Entered: 07/17/2026)

RECAP
July 17, 2026

Set Answer Deadline : Answer due from all Defendants by 9/11/2026. (cjd)

7 Aug. 21, 2026

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Request for Immediate Relief by AMANDA MCGONIGLE Responses due by 9/11/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Amanda McGonigle)(BOND, EMMA) (Entered: 08/21/2026)

RECAP
8 Aug. 21, 2026

NOTICE of Hearing: A telephonic hearing has been scheduled and the parties have been or will be provided the Court's call-in information. Conference of Counsel set for 8/21/2026 01:00 PM by Telephone before JUDGE JOHN A. WOODCOCK JR. (jam) (Entered: 08/21/2026)

RECAP
9 Aug. 21, 2026

Minute Entry for proceedings held before JUDGE JOHN A. WOODCOCK, JR: Telephonic Conference of Counsel held. Counsel to confer and notify the Court if an agreement resolves the motion for preliminary injunction. If not resolved the following deadlines apply: Responses to preliminary injunction due by 8/22/2026, Reply due 8/23/2026 by 12:00 p.m. (Court Reporter: Lori Dunbar) (jam) (Entered: 08/21/2026)

RECAP
10 Aug. 21, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by NOAH T. KATZEN on behalf of All Defendants (KATZEN, NOAH) (Entered: 08/21/2026)

RECAP
Aug. 21, 2026

Case Randomly Reassigned to JUDGE JOHN A. WOODCOCK, JR and Referral Judge reassigned to MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON. (mtm)

11 Aug. 22, 2026

RESPONSE in Opposition re 7 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Request for Immediate Relief filed by SEAN M CURRAN, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, JOHN HILLER, UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE. Reply due by 9/8/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Ex. A - Declaration of U.S. Secret Service Special Agent In Charge Mark Comorosky, # 2 Ex. B - Declaration of Mitchell D. Cain, Lead Advance Representative, Office of the Vice President of the United States)(KATZEN, NOAH) (Entered: 08/22/2026)

RECAP
12 Aug. 23, 2026

REPLY to Response to Motion re 7 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Request for Immediate Relief filed by AMANDA MCGONIGLE. (BOND, EMMA) (Entered: 08/23/2026)

RECAP
13 Aug. 23, 2026

ORDER ON MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION denying 7 Motion for Preliminary Injunction By JUDGE JOHN A. WOODCOCK, JR. (CCS)

RECAP
Aug. 23, 2026

Reset Deadlines as to 7 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Request for Immediate Relief per directive of U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr.: Reply due by 12:00 p.m. on 8/23/2026. (jam)

14 Aug. 24, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by JOHN G. OSBORN on behalf of All Defendants (OSBORN, JOHN) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

RECAP
15 Sept. 2, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by JAMES W. HARLOW on behalf of All Defendants (HARLOW, JAMES) (Entered: 09/02/2026)

RECAP
16 Sept. 9, 2026

Consent MOTION to Extend Time to File Answer by SEAN M CURRAN, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, JOHN HILLER, UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE Responses due by 9/30/2026. (HARLOW, JAMES) (Entered: 09/09/2026)

RECAP
17 Sept. 10, 2026

ORDER granting 16 Motion to Extend Time. Time to file a response to the complaint is extended to September 25, 2026. By MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON. (NIVISON, JOHN) (Entered: 09/10/2026)

RECAP
Sept. 10, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 10, 2026

Reset Answer Deadline for SEAN M CURRAN, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, JOHN HILLER, UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE per Order No. 17: Answer due by 9/25/2026. (jam)

18 Sept. 25, 2026

MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction, MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim, MOTION for Summary Judgment by SEAN M CURRAN, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, JOHN HILLER, UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE Responses due by 10/16/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Mitchell Cain (Supplemental), # 2 Affidavit of Mark Comorosky (Supplemental), # 3 Supplement Supporting Statement of Material Facts)(HARLOW, JAMES) (Entered: 09/25/2026)

RECAP
19 Oct. 6, 2026

MOTION for Order granting voluntary dismissal without prejudice under Rule 41(a)(2) by AMANDA MCGONIGLE Responses due by 10/27/2026. (BOND, EMMA) (Entered: 10/06/2026)

RECAP
20 Oct. 15, 2026

STATUS REPORT Joint Status Report regarding request for voluntary dismissal under Rule 41(a)(2) by AMANDA MCGONIGLE. (BOND, EMMA) (Entered: 10/15/2026)

RECAP
21 Oct. 15, 2026

ORDER granting without prejudice 19 Motion for Order By JUDGE JOHN A. WOODCOCK, JR. (jam) (Entered: 10/15/2026)

RECAP
22 Oct. 15, 2026

ORDER dismissing as moot 18 Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction; Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim; Motion for Summary Judgment By JUDGE JOHN A. WOODCOCK, JR. (jam) (Entered: 10/15/2026)

RECAP
23 Oct. 15, 2026

JUDGMENT OF DISMISSAL By DEPUTY CLERK: Joanne McCue. (jam) (Entered: 10/15/2026)

RECAP
Oct. 15, 2026

Order on Motion for Summary Judgment AND Order on Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim AND Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction

Oct. 15, 2026

Order on Motion for Order

Case Details

State / Territory:

Maine

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 7, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The plaintiff is a Massachusetts resident who operated social media accounts that were critical of the Vice President.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Director of the Office of Presidential Advance

Director of the U.S. Secret Service

Executive Office of the President

U.S. Secret Service

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of Maine 1:26-cv-00349

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Retaliation

Discrimination Area:

Content/viewpoint discrimination

Recommended Citation