Removed Content
Content removed with legal challenges pending
Status Overview
Content in this category has been removed from federal websites with ongoing legal challenges and advocacy efforts working toward restoration. These cases represent active efforts to restore public access through the courts.
Environmental Data & Research
EPA Climate Change Research Database
EPA
Legal Status: Subject of EDGI v. EPA lawsuit filed February 15, 2025
Impact: Climate researchers and policy analysts have lost access to decades of federal climate science research, impact assessments, and peer-reviewed studies.
Legal Timeline: Preliminary injunction hearing scheduled March 2025
Removed: January 21, 2025
NOAA Climate Assessment Reports
NOAA
Legal Status: Knight First Amendment Institute v. NOAA (Case No. 1:25-cv-00234)
Impact: Scientists, educators, and policymakers cannot access the National Climate Assessment and regional climate impact studies.
Legal Timeline: Discovery phase ongoing, trial expected Q3 2025
Removed: January 22, 2025
Public Health Information
CDC Reproductive Health Resources
CDC
Legal Status: Physicians for Reproductive Health v. HHS (Emergency TRO filed)
Impact: Healthcare providers and patients have lost access to evidence-based reproductive health guidance, contraceptive information, and maternal health resources.
Legal Timeline: Emergency hearing held February 8, 2025 - Decision pending
Removed: January 20, 2025
NIH Health Disparities Research
NIH
Legal Status: American Medical Association et al. v. NIH
Impact: Medical researchers studying health inequities can no longer access federally-funded research on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities.
Legal Timeline: Complaint filed February 12, 2025 - Government response due March 15
Removed: January 25, 2025
Civil Rights & Justice Data
DOJ Civil Rights Division Reports
DOJ
Legal Status: NAACP v. DOJ (Civil Rights Restoration Act challenge)
Impact: Civil rights attorneys, advocates, and researchers cannot access pattern-and-practice investigations, consent decrees, and enforcement actions.
Legal Timeline: Motion for preliminary injunction filed February 20, 2025
Removed: January 23, 2025
Department of Education Civil Rights Data
ED
Legal Status: Education Law Center v. Department of Education
Impact: Researchers tracking educational equity cannot access school discipline data, special education statistics, and discrimination complaint outcomes.
Legal Timeline: Federal court hearing March 5, 2025
Removed: January 24, 2025
Support Legal Challenges
These legal efforts need public support to succeed. Here's how you can help:
- Follow Court Cases - Monitor legal proceedings through PACER and court websites
- Support Organizations - Donate to groups filing these lawsuits: EDGI, Knight Institute, ACLU
- Submit Impact Statements - Document how removals affect your work for amicus briefs
- Contact Congress - Pressure representatives to support transparency legislation
- Document Evidence - Archive and report additional removals to strengthen legal cases
Key Legal Organizations
- Environmental Data & Governance Initiative (EDGI) - Leading EPA content restoration efforts
- Knight First Amendment Institute - Government transparency and FOIA litigation
- Electronic Frontier Foundation - Digital rights and information access
- American Civil Liberties Union - Civil rights and government accountability