No. 25-1103

U.S. Doge Service, et al. v. United States District Court for the District of Columbia, et al.

Lower Court: District of Columbia
Docketed: 2026-03-20
Status: Pending
Type: Paid
Experienced Counsel
Tags: administrative-law executive-privilege freedom-of-information-act judicial-review mandamus separation-of-powers
Latest Conference: N/A
Question Presented (from Petition)

The district court in this case entered a wide-ranging and intrusive discovery order against the U.S. DOGE Service (USDS) —a body within the Executive Office of the President tasked with advising the President —to determine whether that body's influence renders it an "agency" subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552. This Court previously granted certiorari, vacated the court of appeals' denial of a writ of mandamus, and remanded for the court of appeals to "narrow" discovery in light of "separation of powers concerns." On remand, respondent withdrew several of its discovery requests, and the court of appeals again denied the government's mandamus petition without any new analysis regarding the remaining discovery, which includes numerous requests for internal communications and a deposition of USDS's head. The questions presented are:

1. Whether the court of appeals' order departed from this Court's instructions and the separation-of-powers principles that this Court articulated in Cheney v. United States District Court, 542 U.S. 367 (2004).

2. Whether a court may order broad discovery against an Executive Office advisory body —potentially providing much information sought on the merits of a plaintiff's FOIA claims —to determine whether FOIA's disclosure requirements apply in the first place.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the court of appeals' discovery order against the U.S. DOGE Service departed from this Court's separation-of-powers instructions in Cheney v. United States District Court and whether a court may order broad discovery against an Executive Office advisory body to determine whether FOIA's disclosure requirements apply in the first place

Docket Entries

2026-04-13
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including May 20, 2026, for all respondents.
2026-04-10
Motion of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, et al. for an extension of time submitted.
2026-04-10
Motion to extend the time to file a response from April 20, 2026 to May 20, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
2026-03-18
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due April 20, 2026)

Attorneys

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, et al.
Jonathan Edward MaierCitizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Wash., Respondent
U.S. Doge Service, et al.
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Petitioner