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American Federation of Teachers v. Bessent

No. 25-1282 Circuit · Decided Decided
Court
4th Cir.
ca4
Argued
May 5, 2025
Decided
Aug 12, 2025
Filed
Mar 24, 2025
Filed (CL)
Mar 24, 2025
CL Status
terminated

Case Overview

The government appealed Judge Boardman's preliminary injunction which prevents the disclosure of the plaintiff's personal information to DOGE affiliates.


The Application

History

The AFT sought to prevent disclosure of member data to DOGE entities on constitutional grounds. The district court granted the injunction, and the government appealed, challenging the lower court's findings on likelihood of success, irreparable harm, and the balance of equities in maintaining the disclosure prohibition.

The Conclusion

The Fourth Circuit decided the government's appeal, determining whether Judge Boardman's preliminary injunction against disclosure to DOGE affiliates should be affirmed, reversed, or modified pending final adjudication.

Outcome History (2)

  1. Apr 7, 2025 Circuit
    Stay granted Neutral

    Circuit court granted a stay pending appeal.

  2. Aug 12, 2025 Circuit
    Vacated Unresolved Final

    Circuit court vacated and remanded the district court decision.

Federal Court TMR-433fe59a DOGE <br> Appeal of 8:25-cv-00430 May 18, 2026

Case Analysis

Issue

Whether the district court properly issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting disclosure of AFT member personal information to DOGE-affiliated entities pending resolution of the underlying constitutional claims.

Rule

Preliminary injunctions require: (1) likelihood of success on the merits, (2) substantial threat of irreparable harm, (3) favorable balance of equities, and (4) consistency with the public interest; disclosure of associational membership raises First Amendment associational privacy concerns under NAACP v. Alabama.

Analysis

The AFT sought to prevent disclosure of member data to DOGE entities on constitutional grounds. The district court granted the injunction, and the government appealed, challenging the lower court's findings on likelihood of success, irreparable harm, and the balance of equities in maintaining the disclosure prohibition.

Conclusion

The Fourth Circuit decided the government's appeal, determining whether Judge Boardman's preliminary injunction against disclosure to DOGE affiliates should be affirmed, reversed, or modified pending final adjudication.

Overview

The government appealed Judge Boardman's preliminary injunction which prevents the disclosure of the plaintiff's personal information to DOGE affiliates.

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