United States Court…

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Mar 13 2026
20-1107 Panel Decision

CLEAN FUELS ALLIANCE AMERICA v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AMERICAN FUEL & PETROCHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS, ET AL Consolidated with 20-1113

The D.C. Circuit dismissed consolidated petitions challenging the EPA's 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard because intervening statutory changes and the superseding 2022 Rule rendered the case moot. The court held that petitioners could not seek an advisory opinion on a future agency policy when the underlying legal framework had materially shifted.

Civil Environmental (Civil) Mootness
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Mar 13 2026
25-5013 Panel Decision

ERNEST F. MITCHELL, LIEUTENANT v. JOHN PHELAN, HONORABLE

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the Navy's decision to deny Lieutenant Mitchell a promotion and remove him from the promotion list after he left his post as Command Duty Officer without authorization. The court held that the military's finding of substandard performance was reasonable and not arbitrary or capricious under administrative review standards.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner
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Mar 10 2026
24-3098 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CALVIN SMITH, ALSO KNOWN AS A-SAY

The D.C. Circuit vacated Calvin Smith's life sentences for drug conspiracy and racketeering, finding the drug sentence exceeded statutory limits and the racketeering sentence lacked required factual findings. The court also vacated a felony murder conviction on double jeopardy grounds and remanded the case for a new sentencing hearing.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 10 2026
24-5172 Panel Decision

MONTE A. ROSE, JR v. ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR., SECRETARY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

The D.C. Circuit dismissed Indiana's appeal of a district court order remanding a Medicaid dispute to HHS because the remand order was not a final decision under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. The court held that the order left the core dispute unresolved for further agency proceedings, and no exceptions to the finality rule applied.

Appellate Jurisdiction Civil Tax (Civil)
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Mar 5 2026
25-5332 Panel Decision

Darrell Prince v. United States

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se qui tam complaint, ruling that private individuals lack standing to file such actions on behalf of the United States. The court also denied the appellant's ancillary motions and dismissed portions of his request to supplement the record as moot.

Civil Other Civil Standing
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Feb 24 2026
25-5259 Panel Decision

Nicholas Woodall v. Donald J. Trump, President, et al.

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Nicholas Woodall's complaint against the President, ruling that the filing failed to meet the pleading standards of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a). The court held that the document did not constitute a valid case or controversy under Article III because it lacked a short and plain statement of jurisdiction or grounds for relief.

Admiralty / Maritime Civil
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Feb 24 2026
25-7138 Panel Decision

S.R.B. Kenneth v. TYPSA Group and Kingdom of Spain

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of claims against the Kingdom of Spain, ruling that sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act barred the suit. The court also upheld the dismissal of claims against TYPSA Group for failing to allege a domestic injury required for RICO liability or conduct violating the law of nations.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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