Case: Macmasters v. Department of Defense
1:25-cv-02162 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: July 7, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
On July 7, 2025, an American veteran filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Plaintiff challenged the Department's restrictions on his ability to publish an unclassified manuscript entitled "Three Faces of War". He alleged that Defendant's actions violated his rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Plaintiff submitted his manuscript, pursuant to one or more secrecy, non-disclosure agreements, to the DoD for pre-publication review. Plaintiff claimed that DoD redacted a large amount of text in the manuscript, rendering it unfit for publication. Plaintiff further alleged that his manuscript contained no classified information, and the DoD's attempt to censor his text interfered with his First Amendment "right to publish." By preventing him from sharing the information with his attorney, Plaintiff also alleged a violation of his First Amendment right to petition and/or right to counsel. Plaintiff claimed his attorney held a security clearance which, he contended, should allow his attorney to review the manuscript.
Plaintiff sought an order enjoining the DoD from restraining publication of the manuscript, as well as an order permitting his attorney to review the manuscript. Plaintiff also sought a declaration that the redacted text from his manuscript be declassified.
The government answered the complaint on September 30, admitting that the DoD is blocking Plaintiff from publishing his book, but denying that it contains only unclassified material. The DoD referred the court to the manuscript to substantiate its denial. The DoD cites its authority under EO 13526, which defines classified material and lays out procedures for handling such information, to block publication.
The initial conference is set for the middle of December. This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Jack Moore (10/16/2025)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70724060/parties/macmasters-v-department-of-defense/
McFadden, Trevor Neil (District of Columbia)
Moss, Bradley Prescott (District of Columbia)
Zaid, Mark Steven (District of Columbia)
Horowitz, Brenda A. (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Resources
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70724060/macmasters-v-department-of-defense/
Last updated May 2, 2026, 9:12 p.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: July 7, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiff is a US veteran
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Department of Defense
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-02162
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Case Summary of Macmasters v. Department of Defense, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/46780/ (last updated 10/16/2025).