
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA Lawsuit
What's at Stake
The ACLU and the Media Freedom Information Access (“MFIA”) Clinic at Yale Law School have filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit demanding that the government release information about its use of Executive Order 12,333 to conduct surveillance of Americans’ international communications.
Summary
The executive order, signed by President Reagan in 1981 and modified many times since, is the authority relied upon by intelligence agencies, including the NSA, to conduct surveillance of foreigners outside the United States. According to media reports, however, the government also relies on the executive order to sweep up the international communications of countless Americans. For example, it collects billions of records every day containing the location information of mobile phones, including Americans’ phones; to harvest the address books of email users; and to sweep up the information of users of Google and Yahoo as it travels between those companies’ data centers abroad.
The ACLU’s lawsuit seeks information about the legal boundaries of surveillance conducted under Executive Order 12,333, and privacy protections for Americans whose communications are ensnared in this surveillance. Because the law concerning Executive Order 12,333 is made almost entirely within the executive branch, it is especially critical that the public understands how the executive branch interprets the protections it claims exist.
After the ACLU filed suit in 2013, the government released more than a hundred documents in full or in part. However, it kept secret scores of documents, including key legal analysis interpreting its surveillance powers under the executive order. In 2017, the district court in the case agreed that the government could keep those documents secret. The ACLU appealed the district court’s ruling concerning eight critical documents: two memoranda that provided the legal basis for President George W. Bush’s warrantless wiretapping program, and six surveillance “approval packages,” which contain memoranda setting out the legal basis for Executive Order 12,333 surveillance activities. After the ACLU appealed, the government released one of the memoranda. The ACLU is continuing to seek the remainder, and the case is pending in the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Click here to see the documents released from this FOIA lawsuit.
Legal Documents
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05/30/2019
Judgment -
05/30/2019
Opinion of the 2d Circuit Affirming District Court Opinion -
06/15/2018
Reply Brief for Plaintiffs-Appellants -
05/04/2018
Brief for Defendants-Appellees -
02/02/2018
ACLU Opening Brief -
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04/03/2018
Joint Appendix Vol. I -
04/03/2018
Joint Appendix Vol. II -
04/03/2018
Special Appendix
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsJoint Appendix Vol. IDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/03/2018
Court: Appeals Court (2d Cir.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsJoint Appendix Vol. IIDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/03/2018
Court: Appeals Court (2d Cir.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsSpecial AppendixDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/03/2018
Court: Appeals Court (2d Cir.)
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04/03/2018
Date Filed: 05/30/2019
Court: Appeals Court (2d Cir.)
Date Filed: 05/30/2019
Court: Appeals Court (2d Cir.)
Date Filed: 06/15/2018
Court: Appeals Court (2d Cir.)
Date Filed: 05/04/2018
Court: Appeals Court (2d Cir.)
Date Filed: 02/02/2018
Court: Appeals Court (2d Cir.)
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08/22/2017
Judgment -
08/17/2017
Order -
08/04/2017
Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of Defendants' Second Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion -
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08/04/2017
Supplemental Declaration of David J. Sherman
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsSupplemental Declaration of David J. ShermanDownload DocumentDate Filed: 08/04/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
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08/04/2017
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07/14/2017
Memo of Law in Support of Pls' Second Cross-Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and in Opposition to Defs' Second Motion for Partial Summary Judgment -
07/14/2017
Notice of Plaintiffs' Second Cross-Motion for Partial Summary Judgment -
06/14/2017
Memorandum in Support of Defendants' Second Motion for Partial Summary Judgment -
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06/14/2017
Second Supplemental Declaration of Antoinette B. Shiner -
06/14/2017
Third Declaration of David M. Hardy -
06/14/2017
Supplemental Declaration of David J. Sherman -
06/14/2017
Declaration of Kevin G. Tiernan -
07/07/2017
Fourth Declaration of David Hardy
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsSecond Supplemental Declaration of Antoinette B. ShinerDownload DocumentDate Filed: 06/14/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsThird Declaration of David M. HardyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 06/14/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsSupplemental Declaration of David J. ShermanDownload DocumentDate Filed: 06/14/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Kevin G. TiernanDownload DocumentDate Filed: 06/14/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsFourth Declaration of David HardyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 07/07/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
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06/14/2017
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06/14/2017
Notice of Motion -
03/27/2017
Memorandum Opinion and Order -
12/21/2016
Memo Endorsement on Re: Letter Filed by ACLU -
09/30/2016
Government Letter to Judge Torres -
09/29/2016
Letter to Judge Torres -
09/27/2016
Letter to Court re Supplemental Review -
07/05/2016
Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of Plaintiffs’ Cross-Motion for Partial Summary Judgment -
06/08/2016
Government Reply Memorandum of Law -
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06/08/2016
Declaration of Eric F. Stein -
06/08/2016
Supplemental Declaration of David M. Hardy -
06/08/2016
Supplemental Declaration of David J. Sherman -
06/08/2016
Supplemental Declaration of Alesia Y. Williams -
06/08/2016
Supplemental Declaration of Antoinette B. Shiner
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Eric F. SteinDownload DocumentDate Filed: 06/08/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsSupplemental Declaration of David M. HardyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 06/08/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsSupplemental Declaration of David J. ShermanDownload DocumentDate Filed: 06/08/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsSupplemental Declaration of Alesia Y. WilliamsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 06/08/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsSupplemental Declaration of Antoinette B. ShinerDownload DocumentDate Filed: 06/08/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
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06/08/2016
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04/20/2016
Notice of Plaintiff's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment -
04/20/2016
Memorandum of Law in Support of Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and in Opposition to Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment -
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04/20/2016
Declaration of Jonathan Manes -
04/20/2016
Exhibit A -
04/20/2016
Exhibit B -
04/20/2016
Exhibit C -
04/20/2016
Exhibit D -
04/20/2016
Exhibit E -
04/20/2016
Exhibit F -
04/20/2016
Exhibit G -
04/20/2016
Exhibit H -
04/20/2016
Exhibit I -
04/20/2016
Exhibit J -
04/20/2016
Exhibit K -
04/20/2016
Exhibit L -
04/20/2016
Exhibit M -
04/20/2016
Exhibit N -
04/20/2016
Exhibit O -
04/20/2016
Exhibit P -
04/20/2016
Exhibit Q
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Jonathan ManesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit ADownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit BDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit CDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit DDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit EDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit FDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit GDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit HDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit IDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit JDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit KDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit LDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit MDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit NDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit ODownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit PDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibit QDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
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04/20/2016
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02/26/2016
Memorandum of Law in Support of Defendants; Motion for Partial Summary Judgment -
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02/26/2016
Chart of withheld documents -
02/26/2016
Declaration of John Bradford Wiegmann -
02/26/2016
Exhibit -
02/26/2016
Declaration of Alesia Y. Williams -
02/26/2016
Exhibits -
02/26/2016
Declaration of Christina M. Butler -
02/26/2016
Declaration of Paul Colborn -
02/26/2016
Exhibits -
02/26/2016
Declaration of John F. Hackett -
02/26/2016
Exhibits -
02/26/2016
Declaration of David J. Sherman -
02/26/2016
Exhibits -
02/26/2016
Declaration of David Hardy -
02/26/2016
Exhibits -
02/26/2016
Declaration of Arthur Sepeta -
02/26/2016
Declaration of Antoinette B. Shiner -
02/26/2016
Exhibits
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsChart of withheld documentsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of John Bradford WiegmannDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibitDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Alesia Y. WilliamsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibitsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Christina M. ButlerDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Paul ColbornDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibitsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of John F. HackettDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibitsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of David J. ShermanDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibitsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of David HardyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibitsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Arthur SepetaDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsDeclaration of Antoinette B. ShinerDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Executive Order 12,333 – FOIA LawsuitLegal DocumentsExhibitsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
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02/26/2016
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03/02/2015
Order Granting Motion for an Extension of Time -
02/27/2015
Motion for Extension of Time -
11/24/2014
Answer to Second Amended Complaint -
10/31/2014
Second Amended Complaint -
10/31/2014
Stipulation and Order Re: Document Processing Schedule -
10/30/2014
Letter Re: Joint Stipulation and Proposed Order -
10/30/2014
Text of Proposed Order -
09/17/2014
Order Granting Motion for Extension of Time -
09/16/2014
Motion for Extension of Time for NSA to Review Docs -
09/05/2014
Order Granting Extension of Time for Defs -
09/03/2014
Letter to Court Re: CIA Production Schedule -
08/13/2014
Order Granting Defs Request for Extension -
08/11/2014
Opposition to CIAs Request for Extension -
08/08/2014
Letter Motion for Extension of Time for CIA to Complete Document Search -
07/29/2014
Second NSD FOIA Request -
06/23/2014
Letter Re: Deadlines for FBI, NSA, and CIA Document Processing -
05/21/2014
Stipulation and Order Re: Document Searches -
05/21/2014
Letter Re: Deadline for Required Searches for Responsive Documents -
04/18/2014
Order Granting Motion for Conference -
03/11/2014
Report of Parties Before Pretrial Conference -
03/03/2014
Answer to First Amended Complaint -
02/18/2014
First Amended Complaint -
12/30/2013
Complaint
Date Filed: 08/22/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 08/17/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 08/04/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 07/14/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 07/14/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 06/14/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 06/14/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 03/27/2017
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 12/21/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 09/30/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 09/29/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 09/27/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 07/05/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 06/08/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 04/20/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 02/26/2016
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 03/02/2015
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 02/27/2015
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 11/24/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 10/31/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 10/31/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 10/30/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 10/30/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 09/17/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 09/16/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 09/05/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 09/03/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 08/13/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 08/11/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 08/08/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 07/29/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 06/23/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 05/21/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 05/21/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 04/18/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 03/11/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 03/03/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 02/18/2014
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
Date Filed: 12/30/2013
Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
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05/13/2013
DOA Request -
05/13/2013
DIA Request -
05/13/2013
DHS Request -
05/13/2013
CIA Request -
05/13/2013
Army Request -
05/13/2013
FBI Request -
05/13/2013
NSA Request -
05/13/2013
NSD Request -
05/13/2013
State Department Request -
05/13/2013
OLC Request -
05/13/2013
Navy Request -
05/13/2013
Air Force Request -
05/13/2013
Marine Corps Request
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests
Date Filed: 05/13/2013
Court: FOIA Requests