-
Original Date Announced
September 30, 2026The Department of State (DOS) settled with Yale Law School’s Media Freedom and Information Access (MFIA) Clinic regarding the agency’s processing of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. In exchange for MFIA dismissing the lawsuit, DOS agreed to change their FOIA litigation process to address backlogged requests and provide more information to requestors.
First, DOS agreed to an independent Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) review of its FOIA policies, procedures, and operations. Second, DOS will prepare a reduction plan to address the current backlog in FOIA requests. Lastly, DOS will undertake additional actions to produce structural change including disaggregating its data for the Annual FOIA Report and Quarterly Report, providing contact information for requestors to ask questions or discuss their requests, and develop protocols for determining when an interim response is necessary. DOS also agreed to pay $150,000 to resolve attorneys’ fees and costs for plaintiff, a Marquette University law professor.
Scoville v. DOS, No. 2:22-cv-91-NJ (E.D. Wis.).
Link to case here. Our litigation entries generally report only the initial complaint and any major substantive filings or decisions. For additional information, CourtListener provides access to PACER and all available pleadings. Other sites that track litigation in more detail or organize cases by topic include Civil Rights Clearinghouse, Justice Action Center, National Immigration Litigation Alliance, and Just Security
Trump 2.0 [ID# 2430]
2026.09.30 FOIA Settlement Agreement [DOS]Effective Date
September 30, 2026Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Action: AdjudicationSubject Matter: Hearings and AdjudicationsAgencies Affected: DOSAssociated or Derivative Policies
- March 4, 2025 DHS memo orders disclosure of cancelled programs and spending
- December 19, 2025 Whistleblower reveals USCIS policies leading to dismissed FOIA requests
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com