AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES AFL-CIO; ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS; AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS Plaintiffs – v. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION; FRANK BISIGNANO
April 10, 2026·25-1411·Panel Decision·Judge Heytens·By Aisha Johnson
The Fourth Circuit vacated a preliminary injunction against the Social Security Administration. The case is remanded for further proceedings.
Three organizations sued to stop the Social Security Administration from giving U.S. DOGE Service personnel access to sensitive personal information. The district court granted a preliminary injunction, which the Supreme Court stayed pending appeal.
The court’s reasoning
The court found that the plaintiffs did not establish irreparable harm necessary for a preliminary injunction. The court also addressed standing, concluding that the plaintiffs had sufficiently demonstrated standing to pursue some claims.
A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy never awarded as of right.
Winter v. Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 24 (2008)
The dissent
What it means going forward
The preliminary injunction against the Social Security Administration is vacated, allowing the agency to proceed without the restrictions imposed by the injunction.
