Court Decisions

Popov v. DHS, No. 24-5703, 2025 WL 2888011 (9th Cir. Oct. 10, 2025) (per curiam)

Re: Request for third party alien file

Disposition:  Affirming district court’s grant of government’s motion for summary judgment

• Litigation Considerations, Evidentiary Showing, Vaughn Index:  The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit holds that “[the requester] waived his argument that DHS did not satisfy its burden...

Informed Consent Action Network v. CDC, No. 24-0798, 2025 WL 2886321 (D.D.C. Oct. 10, 2025) (Friedman, J.)

Re: Request for information regarding COVID-19 vaccines

Disposition:  Denying plaintiff’s motion for attorney fees and costs

• Attorney Fees, Entitlement: The court notes that “Defendants do not contest that plaintiff is ‘eligible’ to receive attorneys’ fees.”  As to fee entitlement, “[t]hough the...

Garkov v. NSA, No. 25-02053, 2025 WL 2911771 (D.D.C. Oct. 9, 2025) (Nichols, J.)

Re: Request for records concerning plaintiff’s “‘assassination with a microwave weapon’”

Disposition:  Dismissing plaintiff’s complaint

• Litigation Considerations:  “[The court] cannot exercise subject matter jurisdiction over a frivolous complaint.” “The instant Complaint falls squarely into this category.”

N.Y. Times Co. v. U.S. Def. Counterintelligence & Sec. Agency, No. 25-2333, 2025 WL 2855339 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 8, 2025) (Cote, J.)

Re: Request for two-page document listing any security clearances granted to Elon Musk

Disposition:  Granting plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment; denying defendant’s motion for summary judgment

• Exemption 6: The court finds that “[the United States Defense...

Arroyo v. USCIS, No. 25-23177, 2025 WL 2840412 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 7, 2025) (Torres, Mag. J.)

Re: Defendant’s alleged failure to address plaintiff’s FOIA requests

Disposition:  Granting plaintiff’s motion to amend complaint

• Litigation Considerations, Pleadings:  The court holds that “Plaintiff should file a cogent complaint that sets forth all the elements of the claim under the FOIA.”  “Plaintiff must...

Citizens for Resp. & Ethics in Wash. v. DOJ, No. 19-2267, 2025 WL 2829203 (D.D.C. Oct. 6, 2025) (Alikhan, J.)

Re: Request for certain records concerning campaign finance investigations of various individuals associated with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign

Disposition:  Granting defendant’s renewed motion for summary judgment

• Exemption 5, Attorney Work-Product Privilege:  “With the benefit of DOJ...

Eckert v. City of Buffalo, No. 22-540, 2025 WL 2836547 (W.D.N.Y. Oct. 6, 2025) (Vilardo, J.)

Re: Request for records concerning a land dispute

Disposition:  Dismissing plaintiff’s FOIA claim

• Litigation Considerations, Pleadings; Procedural Requirements, Entities Subject to the FOIA: The court holds that “[plaintiff] cannot assert viable claims against Erie County under either of those statutes for a...

Ferguson v. DOJ, No. 25-50058, 2025 WL 2829747 (N.D. Ill. Oct. 6, 2025) (Johnston, J.)

Re: Request for records concerning Prison Rape Elimination Act and Justice for All Reauthorization Act

Disposition:  Granting defendants’ motion for summary judgment; denying plaintiff’s cross-motion for summary judgment

• Litigation Considerations, Evidentiary Showing, Adequacy of Search:  The court holds that “[t...

Cottom v. DOJ, No. 23-6307, 2025 WL 2802396 (W.D.N.Y. Oct. 2, 2025) (Holland, Mag. J.)

Re: Request for all “Operation Torpedo” Network Investigation Technique Reports

Disposition:  Denying plaintiff’s motion for order directing defendant to file Vaughn Index and declaration by set date

• Litigation Considerations, Evidentiary Showing, Declarations & Vaughn Index:  The court relates that “the parties...

Cahill v. U.S. Dep’t of Com., No. 25-5168, 2025 WL 2812897 (D.C. Cir. Oct. 1, 2025) (per curiam)

Re: Request for audio recording of Patent Trial and Appeals Board oral argument for plaintiff’s patent case

Disposition:  Granting government’s motion for summary affirmance

• Attorney Fees, Eligibility & Litigation Considerations, Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies:  The Court of Appeals for the...