Case: State of Washington v. United States Department of Commerce

2:25-cv-01507 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: Aug. 8, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenged the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) termination of two federal awards providing more than $9 million in funding to the State of Washington. The first grant, "Tribal Stewards: Cultivating Tribal Leadership & Equity in Natural Resource Stewardship & Climate Resilience," awarded to the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, supported training for a new generation of tribal leaders and co-stewards in natural resource management and climate resilience." The second grant, "Advancing an Equitable Framework for Coastal Resilience in Washington State," was awarded to the Washington State Department of Ecology and aimed to address coastal hazards and reduce environmental and health disparities.

The funding was terminated on May 5, 2025, allegedly in accordance with several Trump administration executive orders, including Executive Order 14151, targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIA) initiatives and “ideologically motivated” climate change programs; Executive Order 14260, challenging state and local laws that hindered domestic energy development; and Executive Order 14222, calling for agency review and potential termination of existing grants and contracts.

On August 8, 2025, the State of Washington filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington against the DOC and its Secretary, and NOAA and its Acting Administrator. The State brought claims under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the Appointments Clause, the Spending Clause, the Separation of Powers Doctrine, and for ultra vires actions. Represented by the Attorney General and the Attorney General's Environmental Protection Division, the plaintiff sought declaratory relief and a permanent injunction to prevent the defendants from implementing, maintaining, or reinstating the terminations. The case was assigned to Judge Marsha Pechman.

In the complaint, Washington State argued that the grant terminations violated the APA because they did not follow OMB Uniform Guidance for the administration of awards, were carried out without following legally required procedures, and were arbitrary and capricious. The State also claimed an Appointments Clause violation because the decision to terminate the awards was not made by a NOAA or Department of Commerce employee. Additionally, the State claimed that the terminations violated the Spending Clause because it was not given fair notice of the new conditions under which the funding was terminated. Finally, the State argued that the terminations violated the Separation of Powers because the executive branch contravened congressional intent and ended congressionally approved and funded programs based on new executive preferences.

On August 19, 2025, the State of Washington filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to restore the two funding grants terminated by the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The court granted the State of Washington’s motion for a preliminary injunction on October 22, 2025. The court found that Washington was likely to succeed on its APA and Spending Clause claims because the federal agencies terminated multi-year grant awards based on new executive priorities, rather than the original program goals, in violation of OMB regulations and established guidance. The court determined that these actions were both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious, particularly given the agencies’ failure to provide a reasoned explanation for the terminations and the absence of any relevant standards permitting such post-hoc funding conditions. The court further rejected the government’s contention that the terminations were unreviewable, citing meaningful regulatory and statutory standards for judicial review. Washington demonstrated irreparable harm from loss of funding and damaged tribal partnerships, and the court found that the balance of equities and public interest favored granting injunctive relief. 2025 WL 2978822.

On October 30, 2025, the defendants appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from the court’s October 22, 2025, order. Opening briefs are due on December 19, 2025.

On the same day, the defendants filed a motion requesting a stay of litigation deadlines due to a lapse in appropriations resulting from the ongoing Government shutdown.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Victoria Tan (8/13/2025)

Dahlia Gottlieb (12/3/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71065919/parties/state-of-washington-v-united-states-department-of-commerce/

Judge(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brown, Leah (Washington)

General, Caitlin Soden,

General, Leah Brown,

General, Ellen E.

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney, Daniel Tenny,

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Judge(s)

Pechman, Marsha J. (Washington)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brown, Leah (Washington)

General, Caitlin Soden,

General, Leah Brown,

General, Ellen E.

Range, Ellen E (Washington)

Soden, Caitlin (Washington)

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney, Daniel Tenny,

Merritt, Robert Charles (Washington)

Smith, Sarah Nicole

Other

Worthington, John (Washington)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 2:25-cv-01507	Complaint	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 Complaint
6 2:25-cv-01507	Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction; Note on Motion Calendar: September 16, 2025; Oral Argument Requested	Aug. 19, 2025	Aug. 19, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
23 2:25-cv-01507	Defendants' Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction	Sept. 12, 2025	Sept. 12, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
33 2:25-cv-01507	Order Granting Motion for Preliminary Injunction State of Washington v. U.S. Department of Commerce et al.	Oct. 22, 2025	Oct. 22, 2025 Order/Opinion 2025 WL 2978822

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14151 - Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing President Donald Trump	Directing the Office of Management and Budget to coordinate the termination of all diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI and DEIA) programs in the federal government.	Jan. 20, 2025	Jan. 20, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71065919/state-of-washington-v-united-states-department-of-commerce/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:41 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Aug. 8, 2025	COMPLAINT against All Defendants (Receipt # AWAWDC-9114126) Attorney Caitlin Soden added to party State of Washington(pty:pla) filed by State of Washington. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit J, # 11 Exhibit K, # 12 Exhibit L, # 13 Exhibit M, # 14 Civil Cover Sheet, # 15 Summons U.S. Department of Commerce, # 16 Summons Howard Lutnick, # 17 Summons National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, # 18 Summons Laura Grimm)(Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 08/08/2025) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER 2 Exhibit B View on PACER 3 Exhibit C View on PACER 4 Exhibit D View on PACER 5 Exhibit E View on PACER 6 Exhibit F View on PACER 7 Exhibit G View on PACER 8 Exhibit H View on PACER 9 Exhibit I View on PACER 10 Exhibit J View on PACER 11 Exhibit K View on PACER 12 Exhibit L View on PACER 13 Exhibit M View on PACER 14 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 15 Summons U.S. Department of Commerce View on PACER 16 Summons Howard Lutnick View on PACER 17 Summons National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration View on PACER 18 Summons Laura Grimm View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Aug. 11, 2025	Summons(es) Electronically Issued as to All Defendants (HH) (Entered: 08/11/2025)	RECAP
3	Aug. 11, 2025	Notice of Filing Deficiency re 1 Complaint,,. *Action Required* Improper Signature - Secondary Attorney(s).See attached letter for more information and instructions. (HH) (Entered: 08/11/2025)	RECAP
4	Aug. 11, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Ellen E Range on behalf of Plaintiff State of Washington. (Range, Ellen) (Entered: 08/11/2025)	RECAP
5	Aug. 11, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Leah Brown on behalf of Plaintiff State of Washington. (Brown, Leah) (Entered: 08/11/2025)	RECAP
	Aug. 11, 2025	Judge Marsha J. Pechman added. (HH)
	Aug. 11, 2025	Add and Terminate Judges
11	Aug. 18, 2025	MOTION to Intervene, filed by Interested Party John Worthington. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Motion) Noting Date 9/8/2025. (APH) (Entered: 08/20/2025)	RECAP
6	Aug. 19, 2025	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Plaintiff State of Washington. Oral Argument Requested. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 9/16/2025, (Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 08/19/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	Clearinghouse
7	Aug. 19, 2025	DECLARATION of Michelle Gostic filed by Plaintiff State of Washington re 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F)(Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 08/19/2025)	RECAP
8	Aug. 19, 2025	DECLARATION of Jennifer Hennessey filed by Plaintiff State of Washington re 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2)(Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 08/19/2025)	RECAP
9	Aug. 19, 2025	DECLARATION of Joenne McGerr filed by Plaintiff State of Washington re 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F)(Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 08/19/2025)	RECAP
10	Aug. 19, 2025	DECLARATION of Maya Esquivido filed by Plaintiff State of Washington re 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H)(Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 08/19/2025)	RECAP
12	Aug. 20, 2025	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Plaintiff State of Washington (Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 08/20/2025)	RECAP
13	Aug. 20, 2025	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Plaintiff State of Washington (Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 08/20/2025)	RECAP
14	Aug. 25, 2025	RESPONSE in Opposition, by Interested Party John Worthington, to 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction. Oral Argument Requested. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Proposed Order, # 3 Proposed Order, # 4 Certificate of Service) (APH) (Entered: 08/27/2025)	RECAP
15	Aug. 29, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Robert Charles Merritt on behalf of Defendants Laura Grimm, Howard Lutnick, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 08/29/2025)	RECAP
16	Aug. 29, 2025	RESPONSE, by All Defendants, to 11 MOTION to Intervene. (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 08/29/2025)	RECAP
17	Aug. 29, 2025	RESPONSE, by Plaintiff State of Washington, to 11 MOTION to Intervene. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 08/29/2025)	RECAP
20	Sept. 2, 2025	ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by interested party John Worthington. (APH) (Entered: 09/09/2025)	RECAP
18	Sept. 4, 2025	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time re 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 9/4/2025, (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 09/04/2025)	RECAP
21	Sept. 5, 2025	REPLY, filed by Interested Party John Worthington, to 11 MOTION to Intervene. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration) (APH) (Entered: 09/09/2025)	RECAP
19	Sept. 9, 2025	ORDER granting Defendants' 18 Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time. Defendants shall have until 9/12/2025 to file their response to Plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction (ECF No. 6 ). Signed by Judge Marsha J. Pechman. (APH)	RECAP
22	Sept. 12, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time, filed by Plaintiff State of Washington. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 9/12/2025, (Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 09/12/2025)	RECAP
23	Sept. 12, 2025	RESPONSE, by All Defendants, to 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction . (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 09/12/2025)	Clearinghouse
24	Sept. 15, 2025	ORDER granting Plaintiff's 22 Motion for Extension of Time. Plaintiff shall have through 9/19/2025 to file its reply in support of its 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Judge Marsha J. Pechman.(CJS) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	RECAP
26	Sept. 17, 2025	MOTION to Amend Counterclaim and Add Counter-Defendants, filed by Interested Party John Worthington. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Answer to Complaint & Amended Counterclaim) Noting Date 10/8/2025. (CJS) (Entered: 09/22/2025)	RECAP
27	Sept. 17, 2025	DECLARATION of John Worthington re 26 MOTION to Amend Counterclaim and Add Counter-Defendants by Interested Party John Worthington. (Attachments: # 1 1 and 2)(CJS) (Entered: 09/22/2025)	RECAP
25	Sept. 19, 2025	REPLY, filed by Plaintiff State of Washington, TO RESPONSE to 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 09/19/2025)	RECAP
28	Sept. 30, 2025	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond to Complaint, filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 9/30/2025, (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 09/30/2025)	RECAP
30	Sept. 30, 2025	SUPPLEMENTAL DECLARATION of John Worthington re 14 RESPONSE in Opposition. (APH) (Entered: 10/06/2025)	RECAP
29	Oct. 1, 2025	ORDER granting Defendant's 28 Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer. Defendants shall have until 11/10/2025 to file their response to Plaintiff's complaint. Signed by Judge Marsha J. Pechman. (APH)	RECAP
31	Oct. 14, 2025	ORDER REGARDING INITIAL DISCLOSURES AND JOINT STATUS REPORT Joint Status Report due by 11/25/2025, FRCP 26(f) Conference Deadline is 11/12/2025, Initial Disclosure Deadline is 11/18/2025, signed by Judge Marsha J. Pechman. (GC) (Entered: 10/14/2025)	RECAP
32	Oct. 14, 2025	ORDER denying interested party John Worthington's 11 Motion to Intervene. Additionally, the Court DENIES the Motion for Leave to Amend (Dkt. No. 26 ). Signed by Judge Marsha J. Pechman.(APH) (cc: interested party via USPS)	RECAP
33	Oct. 22, 2025	ORDER granting Plaintiff's 6 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Judge Marsha J. Pechman. (APH)	Clearinghouse
34	Oct. 22, 2025	MINUTE ORDER REASSIGNING CASE. Case reassigned to Judge Tana Lin for all further proceedings. Judge Marsha J. Pechman no longer assigned to case. Authorized by Judge Marsha J. Pechman. (GC) (Entered: 10/22/2025)	RECAP
35	Oct. 27, 2025	NOTICE of Provision of Written Notice re 33 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction ; filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Notification of Decision)(Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 10/27/2025)	RECAP
36	Oct. 30, 2025	NOTICE OF APPEAL to Ninth Circuit re 33 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction by All Defendants. No fee required- US Government Party (cc: USCA) (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 10/30/2025)	RECAP
37	Oct. 30, 2025	MOTION to Stay Pending Litigation Deadlines Due to Lapse in Appropriations, filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (DDC Stay Order), # 2 Proposed Order) Noting Date 11/20/2025, (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 10/30/2025)	RECAP
37	Oct. 30, 2025	MOTION to Stay Pending Litigation Deadlines Due to Lapse in Appropriations, filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (DDC Stay Order), # 2 Proposed Order) Noting Date 11/20/2025, (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 10/30/2025)	RECAP
38	Oct. 30, 2025	TIME SCHEDULE ORDER/USCA CASE NUMBER (25-6881) as to 36 Notice of Appeal filed by Laura Grimm, United States Department of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (RE) (Entered: 10/31/2025)	RECAP
38	Oct. 30, 2025	TIME SCHEDULE ORDER/USCA CASE NUMBER (25-6881) as to 36 Notice of Appeal filed by Laura Grimm, United States Department of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (RE) (Entered: 10/31/2025)	RECAP
39	Nov. 3, 2025	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to Plaintiff's Complaint and With Respect to Other Upcoming Litigation Deadlines, filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 11/3/2025, (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 11/03/2025)	RECAP
40	Nov. 3, 2025	ORDER granting Defendants' 39 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Plaintiff's Complaint and With Respect to Other Upcoming Litigation Deadlines. Defendants' response to Plaintiff's complaint is due 11/24/2925, FRCP 26(f) Conference Deadline is 11/26/2025, Initial Disclosure Deadline is 12/2/2025, Joint Status Report due by 12/9/2025. Signed by Judge Tana Lin.(CJS) (Entered: 11/03/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 12, 2025	RECEIPT re 33 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction. $100.00 deposited into the Court Registry on 11/12/2025 (Receipt # SEA200008794) (SMG)
41	Nov. 14, 2025	RESPONSE, by Plaintiff State of Washington, to 37 MOTION to Stay Pending Litigation Deadlines Due to Lapse in Appropriations. (Soden, Caitlin So, Chun Ling Junine) Modified on 11/14/2025 to correct name of the filing attorney at request of the filer (CDA). (Entered: 11/14/2025)	RECAP
42	Nov. 14, 2025	STANDING ORDER REGARDING 28 U.S.C. § 455 AND CANON 3 OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR UNITED STATES JUDGES by Judge Tana Lin. (KMP) (Entered: 11/14/2025)	RECAP
43	Nov. 14, 2025	MINUTE ORDER (text only) made at the direction of Judge Tana Lin: The Court has posted Chambers Procedures at https://www.wawd.uscourts.gov/judges/lin-procedures. All counsel and unrepresented ("pro se") parties are DIRECTED to review them, if they have not already done so. Failure to follow the requirements set forth in the Chambers Procedures may result in the imposition of sanctions. (KMP) (Entered: 11/14/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 14, 2025	TL Minute Order re Chambers Procedures
44	Nov. 17, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Pierce Anon on behalf of Defendants Laura Grimm, Howard Lutnick, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 11/17/2025)	RECAP
45	Nov. 17, 2025	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL: Attorney Robert Charles Merritt for All Defendants. (Merritt, Robert) (Entered: 11/17/2025)	RECAP
46	Nov. 17, 2025	MOTION, filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 12/8/2025 12/5/2025, (Anon, Pierce) Modified noting date on 11/18/2025 (CJS). (Entered: 11/17/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
	Nov. 18, 2025	Noting Date Reset re 46 MOTION: Noting Date 12/8/2025. Reset per LCR 7(d)(3). (CJS)
	Nov. 18, 2025	Set/Reset Motion Noting Date (Public)
47	Nov. 20, 2025	ORDER granting Defendants' 46 Motion to Withdraw Stay Pending Litigation19 Deadlines Due to Lapse in Appropriations. No. 37 is WITHDRAWN pending further Order of the Court. Signed by Judge Tana Lin.(CJS) (Entered: 11/20/2025)	RECAP
48	Nov. 24, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time, filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 12/19/2025, (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 11/24/2025)	RECAP
49	Nov. 26, 2025	Stipulated MOTION to Extend and Set Deadlines, filed by Plaintiff State of Washington. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 11/26/2025, (Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 11/26/2025)	RECAP
50	Nov. 26, 2025	ORDER granting the Parties' 49 Stipulated MOTION to Extend and Set Deadlines. Defendants' deadline to file the administrative record is 1/16/2026. The parties' deadlines to meet and confer meet under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f), to file in itial disclosures under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1), and to file a combined joint status report and discovery plan under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f), to the extent discovery is necessary, shall be extended until after the Court has resolved any motion to dismiss. Signed by Judge Tana Lin. (APH)	RECAP
51	Dec. 22, 2025	MINUTE ORDER (text only) made at the direction of Judge Tana Lin: Given the Court's Order (Dkt. No. 50 ) that granted the Parties' Stipulated Motion to Extend and Set Deadlines (Dkt. No. 49 ), Defendants' motion for an extension of time (Dkt. No. 48 ) is moot. Therefore, the Court STRIKES the motion. (KMP) (Entered: 12/22/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 22, 2025	2 - Minute Order AND ~Util - Terminate Motions
	Jan. 14, 2026	Receipt
52	Jan. 16, 2026	ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD filed by All Defendants. (Anon, Pierce) (Entered: 01/16/2026)	RECAP
53	Jan. 20, 2026	NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal of case by All Plaintiffs (Soden, Caitlin) (Entered: 01/20/2026)	RECAP
	Jan. 21, 2026	***Civil Case Terminated re 53 Notice of Voluntary Dismissal. Case closed pursuant to FRCP 41(a)(1)(A)(i). (CJS)
	Jan. 21, 2026	Terminate Civil Case
54	Jan. 28, 2026	MANDATE/ORDER OF USCA (25-6881) as to 36 Notice of Appeal filed by Laura Grimm, United States Department of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 42(b), Defendants-Appellants unopposed motion to voluntarily dismiss the appeal is hereby GRANTED. See Dkt. 25. Based on Defendants-Appellants' representation that Plaintiff-Appellee consents to an order vacating the district court's opinion granting the preliminary injunction, Dkt. 33, State of Washington v. U.S. Dept of Comm., No. 2:25-cv-01507 (W.D. Wash. Oct 22, 2025), Defendants-Appellants' request for vacatur is also GRANTED. See Dkt. 25. This order is issued by and at the direction of the Court, and this order shall constitute the formal mandate of this Court. DISMISSED. (RE) (Entered: 01/29/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Grant/Contract rescissions, Defunding or Other Threats against Private Entities

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 8, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

State of Washington.

Plaintiff Type(s):

State Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

U.S. Department of Commerce

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Appointments Clause

Separation of Powers

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Other Dockets:

Western District of Washington 2:25-cv-01507

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 25-06881

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

General/Misc.:

Funding

Environmental Justice and Resources:

Funding

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of State of Washington v. United States Department of Commerce, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/46848/ (last updated 12/3/2025).