Case: Democratic National Committee v. US Department of Justice
1:26-cv-00825 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: March 10, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
On March 10, 2026, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) filed this complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense. The DNC alleged that these agencies failed to timely respond to eleven Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted in October 2025 concerning potential deployments of federal agents and troops to polling places, drop boxes, and election offices during upcoming elections. Plaintiffs alleged a violation of FOIA statutory deadlines by withholding responsive documents and failing to provide even a list of withheld documents. Represented by private counsel, they sought injunctive relief requiring the defendants to promptly search for and produce the requested records, and to supply any required Vaughn index for withheld documents.
The case was assigned to Judge Beryl A. Howell. The court granted an unopposed motion for an extension of time to file an Answer on April 16, 2026. As of April 20, this case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Ashley Hamilton (4/20/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72384565/parties/democratic-national-committee-v-us-department-of-justice/
Howell, Beryl Alaine (District of Columbia)
Freeman, Daniel J. (District of Columbia)
Miller, Adam B. (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72384565/democratic-national-committee-v-us-department-of-justice/
Last updated April 20, 2026, 11:30 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 10, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Democratic National Committee
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Justice
Defendant Type(s):
Facility 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-00825
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Case Summary of Democratic National Committee v. US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/47884/ (last updated 4/20/2026).