Update: CREW has received records from the State Department. Read the records here and our analysis of them here. 

CREW sued the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development over their failure to turn over records about a call with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that reportedly only allowed “faith-based media.”

In March, Pompeo held a briefing call on international religious freedom before a trip to the Middle East, and reportedly blocked non-religious news outlets from joining. CREW sent a Freedom of Information Act request for records about the call from the State Department, including a transcript and communications about who requested to be on the call and who was ultimately allowed to participate, but has so far received nothing.

The requested records would shed light on why the State Department wanted to keep aspects of the call hidden, and whether they excluded groups or outlets from a call with the Secretary of State based solely on their lack of religious affiliation. There is immense public interest in whether the State Department is cutting off access to the media based on religion, so CREW sued for the requested documents.  

Lawsuit Documents

  • Complaint
    May 8, 2019
    Read here
  • Answer
    June 27, 2019
    Read here
  • Voluntary Dismissal of Count 2 of the Complaint
    Notice of Voluntary Dismissal of Count 2 of the Complaint - March 9, 2020
    Read here
  • Memo in Support of Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion
    Memorandum in Support of Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Partial Summary Judgement - April 16, 2020
    Read here
  • Defendant Opposition - Plaintiff's Cross-Motion
    Defendant's Opposition to Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgement - July 15, 2020
    Read here
  • Response to Statement of Material Facts
    Response to Plaintiff's Statement of Undisputed Material Facts - July 15, 2020  
    Read here
  • Defendant's Reply to Plaintiff's Opposition
    July 15, 2020
    Read here
  • Second Declaration of Eric F. Stein
    July 15, 2020
    Read here
  • Reply in Support of Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion
    Reply in Support of Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Partial Summary Judgement - August 10, 2020
    Read here
  • Notice of Supplemental Authority
    July 15, 2021
    Read here
  • Memorandum Opinion
    June 2, 2022
    Read here
  • Order on Memorandum
    June 2, 2022
    Read here
  • Stipulation of Dismissal
    December 2, 2022
    Read here
  • Order
    December 2, 2022
    Read here

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