Case: Slavin v. Parnell

Slavin et al. v. Parnell et al.

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-12637916) filed by ERIK A. SLAVIN, MAX D. LEDERER, LARA S. KORTE. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Null, Taryn) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

2 Summons

View on PACER

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by LARA S. KORTE, MAX D. LEDERER, ERIK A. SLAVIN. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Declaration, # 4 Declaration, # 5 Declaration, # 6 Declaration)(Null, Taryn). Added MOTION for Preliminary Injunction on 8/28/2026 (znmw). (Entered: 08/27/2026)

1 Memorandum in Support

View on RECAP

2 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

3 Declaration

View on RECAP

4 Declaration

View on RECAP

5 Declaration

View on RECAP

6 Declaration

View on RECAP

NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by All Plaintiffs. Case related to Case No. 1:26-cv-01965. (Null, Taryn) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

SEALED MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL filed by LARA S. KORTE, MAX D. LEDERER, ERIK A. SLAVIN (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Null, Taryn) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by David Z. Seide on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Seide, David) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by David A. Schulz on behalf of LARA S. KORTE, MAX D. LEDERER, ERIK A. SLAVIN (Schulz, David) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zjd)

NOTICE of Appearance by Tianna Jade Mays on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Mays, Tianna) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Lindsay Zimliki on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Zimliki, Lindsay) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Harold Craig Becker on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Becker, Harold) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Zsa'Queria Martin on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Martin, Zsa'Queria) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Brett S. Covington on behalf of All Defendants (Covington, Brett) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

Memorandum in opposition to re 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by ANDREW BREY, PETER B. HEGSETH, SEAN PARNELL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Pfaffenroth, Peter) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

DECLARATION of David O'Connor by ANDREW BREY, PETER B. HEGSETH, SEAN PARNELL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE re 12 Memorandum in Opposition. (Pfaffenroth, Peter) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

Order Reassigning Case

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings

Motion Hearing AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Order

Minute Order: The Court hereby directs the Clerk's Office to randomly reassign this civil action. Having reviewed the complaints in Dardarian et al. v. Department of Defense et al., No. 26-cv-1965, and in this case, along with Plaintiffs' 2 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Permanent Injunction, and in consultation with the Chair of the Calendar Committee, the Court concludes that the two cases are not related under Local Civil Rule 40.5(a)(3), as designated by Plaintiffs. The former case, brought by non-employee plaintiffs, solely challenges DOD's March 2026 issuance of a policy memorandum regarding Stars and Stripes, along with the rescission of prior regulations, as both procedurally deficient and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. This case, by contrast, mainly challenges the termination of three employees in purported violation of the First Amendment and the APA. The TRO/PI motion, moreover, is grounded exclusively on Plaintiffs' First Amendment retaliation claim. While the complaint does include one count challenging the regulations at issue in Dardarian, that one overlapping issue appears tangential to the core factual and legal issues in this case surrounding Plaintiffs' termination. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 08/28/2026. (lccrc3)

Motion Hearing

Case Randomly Reassigned to Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Judge Christopher R. Cooper is no longer assigned to the case. (zjd)

MINUTE ORDER setting an in-person hearing on the 2 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order for 8/28/2026 at 4:30pm before Judge Trevor N. McFadden in Courtroom 2. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 8/28/2026. (lctnm3)

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Trevor N. McFadden: Motion Hearing held on 8/28/2026 re 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by ERIK A. SLAVIN, MAX D. LEDERER, LARA S. KORTE. Defendants' opposition to the Preliminary Injunction due by 9/1/2026. Plaintiffs' reply due by 12:00 PM on 9/3/2026. Preliminary Injunction Hearing set for 9/4/2026 at 9:30 AM in Courtroom 2 before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (Court Reporter: Lisa Edwards.) (hmc)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Brian C. Ward, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12646572. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by LARA S. KORTE, MAX D. LEDERER, ERIK A. SLAVIN. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Exhibit)(Becker, Harold) (Entered: 09/01/2026)

RESPONSE re 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by ANDREW BREY, PETER B. HEGSETH, SEAN PARNELL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration by David J. O'Connor, # 2 Exhibit 1 to Opposition, # 3 Exhibit 2 to Opposition, # 4 Exhibit 3 to Opposition, # 5 Exhibit 4 to Opposition, # 6 Exhibit 5 to Opposition, # 7 Exhibit 6 to Opposition, # 8 Exhibit 7 to Opposition, # 9 Text of Proposed Order)(Covington, Brett) (Entered: 09/01/2026)

1 Declaration by David J. O'Connor

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit 1 to Opposition

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit 2 to Opposition

View on RECAP

4 Exhibit 3 to Opposition

View on RECAP

5 Exhibit 4 to Opposition

View on RECAP

6 Exhibit 5 to Opposition

View on RECAP

7 Exhibit 6 to Opposition

View on RECAP

8 Exhibit 7 to Opposition

View on RECAP

9 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

MINUTE ORDER granting 14 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice as to Brian C. Ward. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click here for instructions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/1/2026. (lctnm3).

NOTICE of Appearance by Brian Christopher Ward on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Ward, Brian) (Entered: 09/02/2026)

REPLY re 12 Memorandum in Opposition, 15 Response to motion,, filed by LARA S. KORTE, MAX D. LEDERER, ERIK A. SLAVIN. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Declaration)(Null, Taryn) (Entered: 09/03/2026)

1 Declaration

View on PACER

2 Declaration

View on PACER

3 Declaration

View on PACER

MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Amicus Brief, # 2 Proposed Order)(Schafer, Matthew) (Entered: 09/03/2026)

1 Proposed Amicus Brief

View on RECAP

2 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Amicus Brief, # 2 Proposed Order)(Brown, Bruce) (Entered: 09/03/2026)

1 Proposed Amicus Brief

View on RECAP

2 Proposed Order

View on RECAP

AMICUS BRIEF by REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, INC.. (mg) (Entered: 09/04/2026)

AMICUS BRIEF by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (mg) (Entered: 09/04/2026)

Order on Sealed Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal

Order on Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief

MINUTE ORDER: Plaintiffs' 4 Sealed Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal is GRANTED. Plaintiffs' addresses may be filed and maintained under seal pursuant to Local Civil Rule 5.1(h). SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/3/2026 (lctnm3).

MINUTE ORDER: The 18 Motion to for Leave to File Amicus Brief is GRANTED. The Clerk of Court is directed to docket ECF 18-1 as the Amicus Brief of Reporters Without Borders, Inc. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/3/2026 (lctnm3).

MINUTE ORDER: The 19 Unopposed Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief is GRANTED. The Clerk of Court is directed to docket ECF 19-1 as the Amicus Brief of Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/3/2026 (lctnm3). (Entered: 09/03/2026)

MEMORANDUM ORDER denying Plaintiffs' 2 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction. See attached Memorandum Order for details. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/4/2026 (lctnm3). (Entered: 09/04/2026)

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Trevor N. McFadden: Preliminary Injunction Hearing held on 9/4/2026. Matter taken under advisement. (Court Reporter: Lisa Edwards.) (hmc)

Preliminary Injunction