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The parties in this case have agreed to dismiss this case with prejudice. Read the stipulation below.

On July 29, 2019, the District Court granted in part and denied in part Plaintiff’s Cross-Motion Summary Judgement, finding that GSA’s search in response to Plaintiff’s FOIA request was inadequate. Judge Kollar-Kotelly has ordered GSA to complete a new responsive search to CREW’s FOIA request. Read the order and accompanying memorandum here. 

CREW sued the General Services Administration (GSA) on September 4, 2018 for its refusal to disclose records about its decision to cancel the procurement of a new FBI headquarters. The sudden and unexpected cancellation of the GSA’s “procurement for the new FBI headquarters consolidation project,” announced on July 11, 2017, raised questions about the motivation for cancellation of the project as well as questions about President Trump’s personal involvement and stake in the project. CREW filed a FOIA request for records about the decision on July 30, 2018, and has since been provided no determination or status update on the request.

The cancellation of the planned move of the FBI Headquarters generated criticism and controversy from experts and government officials. Members of Congress described the cancellation as “putt[ing] America’s national security at risk,” and local Washington D.C. officials commented on the significant amount of “time and energy wasted.” Furthermore, the GSA has expressed concerns “that the building can’t be rehabilitated particularly given the security requirements[.]” Renovating, rather than moving the headquarters  as originally planned is expected to cost significantly more than relocating the FBI to a more secure location where virtually the entire staff could be housed. Confusion about the change of plans, and the significant cost differences raise serious questions about the real motivation for cancellation of the move.

Revelations about President Trump’s unusual involvement and desire to oversee the details of the project raise questions about the intensity of his interest. Trump reportedly hates the brutalist style of the building’s architecture, and wants to treat the renovation of the headquarters like a Trump Organization project. However, keeping the FBI headquarters in the same location may appeal to President Trump because commercial buildings likely would have replaced the headquarters, increasing competition for the nearby Trump Hotel.

On July 30, 2018, CREW sent a FOIA request to the GSA seeking records to assist the public in evaluating the merits of the renovation. To date, GSA has neither provided CREW with a determination on its request, nor provided CREW any information on the status of its request. CREW therefore has exhausted all applicable administrative remedies with respect to its July 30, 2018 FOIA request. CREW also sued the GSA earlier this year for its refusal to disclose records related to another FOIA request regarding the decision to cancel the FBI headquarters project.

Lawsuit Documents

  • Complaint
    September 4, 2018
    Read here
  • Answer
    October 17, 2018
    Read here
  • Defendant's Motion to Dismiss & Exhibits
    March 28, 2019
    Read here
  • Declaration of Travis Lewis
    March 28, 2019
    Read here
  • Vaughn Index
    March 28, 2019
    Read here
  • Memo. in Support of Plaintiff's Cross-Motion
    Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgement & Exhibits - April 29, 2019
    Read here
  • Memo. in Opposition to Plaintiff's Cross Motion
    Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgement - June 12, 2019
    Read here
  • Reply in Support of Plaintiff's Cross-Motion
    Reply in Support of Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgement - July 8, 2019
    Read here
  • Memorandum and Order
    July 29, 2019
    Read here
  • Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgement
    Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgement and Statement of Material Facts - March 16, 2020
    Read here
  • Declaration of Travis Lewis
    March 16, 2020
    Read here
  • Memo. in Support of Plaintiff's Renewed Motion
    Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Renewed Cross-Motion for Summary Judgement - April 16, 2020
    Read here
  • Declaration of Nikhel Sus
    April 16, 2020
    Read here
  • Plaintiff's Response to Material Facts
    Plaintiff's Response to Defendant's Statement of Material Facts - April 16, 2020
    Read here
  • Memo. in Support of Defendant's Renewed Motion
    Memorandum in Support of Defendant's Renewed Motion for Summary Judgement & Exhibits - July 7, 2020
    Read here
  • Defendant's Statement of Material Facts
    July 7, 2020
    Read here
  • Declaration of Travis Lewis
    July 7, 2020
    Read here
  • Plaintiff's Response to Material Facts
    Plaintiff's Response to Defendant's Statement of Material Facts - August 7, 2020
    Read here
  • Memo. in Support of Plaintiff's 3rd Cross-Motion
    Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Third Cross-Motion for Summary Judgement
    Read here
  • Def. Reply in Support of Renewed Motion
    Defendant's Reply in Support of Its Renewed Motion for Summary Judgement - September 15, 2020
    Read here
  • Def. Response to Plaintiff's Statement
    Defendant's Response to Plaintiff's Statement of Undisputed Material Facts
    Read here
  • Memorandum and Opinion
    February 26, 2021
    Read here
  • Memorandum and Opinion
    March 29, 2021
    Read here
  • Stipulation for Dismissal with Prejudice
    November 20, 2021
    Read here

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