Full text
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
NAVY SEALS 1-26, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
LLOYD AUSTIN, III, in his individual capacity and
in his official capacity as Secretary of Defense, et al.,
Defendants.
Case No. 4:21-cv-01236-O
OFFICIAL CAPACITY DEFENDANTS’ MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF
THEIR MOTION TO DISMISS
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 1 of 29 PageID 2585
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 1 of 29 PageID 2585
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1
BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................ 2
I.
Department of Defense’s COVID-19 Vaccination Directive ............................................. 2
II.
The Navy’s Implementation of DoD’s Vaccination Directive ............................................3
III.
Plaintiffs’ Challenge to the DoD and Navy Vaccination Directives ...................................5
LEGAL STANDARDS .................................................................................................................. 6
I.
Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction ................................................6
II.
Motion to Dismiss for Improper Venue ...............................................................................6
ARGUMENT .................................................................................................................................. 7
A.
The Case Must Be Dismissed Because Plaintiffs’ Claims Are Not Ripe. ...............8
B.
Plaintiffs Failed to Exhaust Administrative Remedies. .........................................12
C.
Venue Is Not Proper In This District. ....................................................................13
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................. 20
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 2 of 29 PageID 2586
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 2 of 29 PageID 2586
ii
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
CASES
Abbott Labs. v. Gardner,
387 U.S. 136 (1967) .................................................................................................................... 8
Airport Wkg. Grp. of Orange Cnty., Inc. v. U.S. Dep’t of Def.,
226 F. Supp. 2d 227 (D.D.C. 2002) .......................................................................................... 13
Ambraco, Inc. v. Bossclip B.V.,
570 F.3d 233 (5th Cir. 2009) .................................................................................................. 6, 7
Atl. Marine Constr. Co. v. U.S. Dist. Court for W. Dist. of Tex.,
571 U.S. 49 (2013) .................................................................................................................... 13
Banks v. Fed. Deposit Ins. Corp.,
No. 3:08-cv-1076-G, 2009 WL 289604 (N.D. Tex. Feb. 2, 2009) ..................................... 14, 15
Bartman v. Cheney,
827 F. Supp. 1 (D.D.C. 1993) ................................................................................................... 15
Bigham v. Envirocare of Utah, Inc.,
123 F. Supp. 2d 1046 (S.D. Tex. 2000) .................................................................................... 16
Bosse v. Chertoff,
No. 05-cv-02170-MSK, 2007 WL 484590 (D. Colo. Feb. 9, 2007) ......................................... 14
Braspetro Oil Servs. Co. v. Modec (USA), Inc.,
240 F. App’x 612 (5th Cir. 2007) ............................................................................................... 6
Brewer v. United States,
No. CV H-17-870, 2017 WL 6398637 (S.D. Tex. June 19, 2017) ............................................. 7
Caldwell v. Palmetto State Sav. Bank of S.C.,
811 F.2d 916 (5th Cir. 1987) ...................................................................................................... 7
Caremark Therapeutic Servs. v. Leavitt,
405 F. Supp. 2d 454 (S.D.N.Y. 2005) ....................................................................................... 14
Choice Inc. v. Greenstein,
691 F.3d 710 (5th Cir. 2012) .................................................................................................. 6, 8
Church v. Biden,
No. 21-2815, 2021 WL 5179215 (D.D.C. Nov. 8, 2021) ..................................................... 9, 11
Collins v. Hagel,
No. 1:13-cv-2051-WSD, 2015 WL 5691076 (N.D. Ga. Sept. 28, 2015) ................................. 13
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 3 of 29 PageID 2587
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 3 of 29 PageID 2587
iii
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n,
567 F.3d 134 (5th Cir. 2009) .................................................................................................... 12
Fla. Nursing Home Ass’n v. Page,
616 F.2d 1355 (5th Cir. 1980) ................................................................................................. 15
Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegetal,
546 U.S. 418 (2006) .................................................................................................................... 9
Gulf Ins. Co. v. Glasbrenner,
417 F.3d 353 (2d Cir. 2005)...................................................................................................... 16
Gyau v. Sessions,
No. 18-cv-407, 2018 WL 4964502 (D.D.C. Oct. 15, 2018) ..................................................... 19
Harkness v. Sec’y of Navy,
858 F.3d 437 (6th Cir. 2017) .................................................................................................... 12
Hodges v. Callaway,
499 F.2d 417 (5th Cir. 1974) .................................................................................................... 12
Holz v. United States,
No. 3:08-CV-1568-P, 2009 WL 10704725 (N.D. Tex. Sept. 28, 2009) ..................................... 6
Home Builders Ass’n of Miss., Inc. v. City of Madison,
143 F.3d 1006 (5th Cir. 1998) .................................................................................................... 6
Huawei Techs. USA, Inc. v. FCC,
2 F.4th 421 (5th Cir. 2021) ..................................................................................................... 8, 9
Igene v. Sessions,
No. CV H-17-3143, 2018 WL 1582239 (S.D. Tex. Mar. 29, 2018) ........................................... 7
Jones v. Hagel,
956 F. Supp. 2d 284 (D.D.C. 2013) .......................................................................................... 13
Jyachosky v. Winter,
No. CIV.A.04-01733(HHK), 2006 WL 1805607 (D.D.C. June 29, 2006) ............................... 15
Kopin v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
No. 3-11-CV-1698-O, 2011 WL 13130489 (N.D. Tex. Nov. 14, 2011) .................................. 16
Kruise v. Fanning,
No. 15-cv-1213, 2016 WL 11672724 (D.D.C. June 14, 2016)................................................. 13
La. Power & Light Co. v. Fed. Power Comm’n,
526 F.2d 898 (5th Cir. 1976) ...................................................................................................... 9
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 4 of 29 PageID 2588
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 4 of 29 PageID 2588
iv
Lopez v. City of Houston,
617 F.3d 336 (5th Cir. 2010) ...................................................................................................... 8
Martin, Mason, Stutz, L.L.P. v. Columbia Sussex Corp.,
No. 3:08-CV-2190-O, 2009 WL 10704844 (N.D. Tex. Apr. 21, 2009) ..................................... 7
McClintock v. Sch. Bd. E. Feliciana Par.,
299 F. App’x 363 (5th Cir. 2008) ......................................................................................... 7, 16
Mindes v. Seaman,
453 F.2d 197 (5th Cir. 1971) ................................................................................................ 8, 12
Mitsui & Co. (USA), Inc. v. MIRA M/V,
111 F.3d 33 (5th Cir. 1997) ........................................................................................................ 6
Monk v. Huston,
340 F.3d 279 (5th Cir. 2003) ...................................................................................................... 8
Mt. Hawley Ins. Co. v. Baddley Chem. Co.,
No. CIVA H-06-0565, 2006 WL 2022909 (S.D. Tex. July 17, 2006), report and
recommendation adopted, No. 6:16-CV-298-RWS-KNM, 2017 WL 3671372
(E.D. Tex. Mar. 14, 2017) ......................................................................................................... 16
Nat’l Ass’n of Life Underwriters v. Clarke,
761 F. Supp. 1285 (W.D. Tex. 1991)........................................................................................ 17
Ohio Forestry Ass’n v. Sierra Club,
523 U.S. 726 (1998) .................................................................................................................... 9
Orloff v. Willoughby,
345 U.S. 83 (1953) .................................................................................................................... 12
Pasem v. U.S. Citizenship & Immigr. Servs.,
No. 20-CV-344 (CRC), 2020 WL 2514749 (D.D.C. May 15, 2020) ....................................... 17
Psarros v. Avior Shipping, Inc.,
192 F. Supp. 2d 751 (S.D. Tex 2002) ..................................................................................... 6, 7
Ramming v. United States,
281 F.3d 158 (5th Cir. 2001) ...................................................................................................... 6
Redi-Mix Sols., Ltd. v. Express Chipping, Inc.,
No. 6:16-CV-298-RWS-KNM, 2017 WL 3671377 (E.D. Tex. Feb. 9, 2017) ......................... 16
Reuben H. Donnelley Corp. v. FTC,
580 F.2d 264 (7th Cir. 1978) .............................................................................................. 14, 15
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 5 of 29 PageID 2589
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 5 of 29 PageID 2589
v
Robert v. Austin,
No. 21-CV-0228-RM-STV, 2022 WL 103374 (D. Colo. Jan. 11, 2022) ........................... 10, 11
Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas v. Sebelius,
927 F. Supp. 2d 406 (N.D. Tex. 2013) ..................................................................................... 11
Schlanger v. United States,
586 F.2d 667 (9th Cir. 1978) .................................................................................................... 12
Seariver Mar. Fin. Holdings, Inc. v. Pena,
952 F. Supp. 455 (S.D. Tex. 1996) ..................................................................................... 13, 20
Shrimpers & Fisherman of the RGV v. U.S. Army Corps of Eng’rs,
849 F. App’x 459 (5th Cir. 2021) ............................................................................................... 9
Smith v. Dalton,
927 F. Supp. 1 (D.D.C. 1996) ................................................................................................... 15
Smith v. Harvey,
541 F. Supp. 2d 8 (D.D.C. 2008) ........................................................................................ 10, 11
Tabletop Media, LLC v. Citizen Sys. Am. Corp.,
No. 3:16-cv-1304-C, 2016 WL 11522083 (N.D. Tex. Sept. 21, 2016) ...................................... 7
Thomas v. Union Carbide Agric. Prods. Co.,
473 U.S. 568 (1985) .................................................................................................................... 8
Toilet Goods Association v. Gardner,
387 U.S. 158 (1967) .................................................................................................................. 10
TOTAL Gas & Power N. Am., Inc. v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n,
859 F.3d 325 (5th Cir. 2017) .......................................................................................... 8, 10, 12
Trump v. New York,
141 S. Ct. 530 (2020) ................................................................................................................ 11
United States for use & benefit of Robert Lloyd Elec. Co. v. Fluor Enters., Inc.,
No. 7:19-CV-00036-O, 2019 WL 13112058 (N.D. Tex. Aug. 26, 2019) .............................. 6, 7
U.S. Navy SEALs 1-26 v. Biden,
--- F. Supp. 3d ---, 2022 WL 34443 (N.D. Tex. Jan. 3, 2022) ............................................ 12, 17
Vince v. Mabus,
956 F. Supp. 2d 83 (D.D.C. 2013) ............................................................................................ 15
Von Hoffburg v. Alexander,
615 F.2d 633 (5th Cir. 1980) .................................................................................................... 12
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 6 of 29 PageID 2590
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 6 of 29 PageID 2590
vi
Webster v. Mattis,
279 F. Supp. 3d 14 (D.D.C. 2017) ............................................................................................ 15
Wei Lai Dev. LLC v. U.S. Citizenship & Immigr. Servs.,
No. 21-887 (RDM), 2021 WL 2073403 (D.D.C. May 24, 2021) ............................................. 19
Williams v. United States,
No. C-01-0024 EDL, 2001 WL 1352885 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 23, 2001)........................................ 14
Wilson v. Dep’t of the Army,
No. 3:13-cv-643-H, 2013 WL 6730281 (S.D. Cal. Dec. 19, 2013) .................................... 13, 14
Woodke v. Dahm,
70 F.3d 983 (8th Cir. 1995) ...................................................................................................... 16
STATUTES
28 U.S.C. § 1391 .................................................................................................................... passim
28 U.S.C. § 1406 ....................................................................................................................... 1, 20
42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5 ...................................................................................................................... 13
RULES
Fed. R. Civ. P. 12 ...................................................................................................................... 6, 20
OTHER AUTHORITIES
Arthur R. Miller, et al., Federal Practice and Procedure 14D (4th ed. 2013) ............................... 14
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment, Real Property Accountability,
https://www.acq.osd.mil/ eie/bsi/bei_rpa.html (last visited Jan. 12, 2022) .............................. 14
U.S. Dep’t of Defense, Mailing Addresses,
https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Mailing-Addresses/ (last visited Jan. 14, 2022) ....... 14, 15
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 7 of 29 PageID 2591
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 7 of 29 PageID 2591
1
INTRODUCTION
Plaintiffs in this action claim that the Navy’s addition of the COVID-19 vaccination to the
list of required immunizations substantially burdens their religious exercise. But Plaintiffs’ claims
are not ripe for review and should be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Plaintiffs filed suit before
providing the Navy chain of command a full opportunity to consider their religious
accommodation requests under valid Navy regulations binding on service members. The Navy
has not reached a final decision on Plaintiffs’ requests. Moreover, the Navy has taken no legally
cognizable adverse action against any Plaintiff. And if Plaintiffs’ requests were finally denied,
any future cognizable adverse action would be accompanied by additional meaningful
opportunities for Plaintiffs to be heard. In these circumstances, no claim before the Court is ripe
and jurisdiction is therefore lacking.
If the case is not dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, it should be dismissed or transferred for
improper venue. As set forth below, there is no basis under the governing venue statute, 28 U.S.C.
§ 1391(e), for this action to proceed in the Northern District of Texas. No Defendant resides in
this district. Plaintiffs have not pled or sought to establish venue by showing that any Plaintiff
resides in this district, and according to information available to Defendants, none of the Plaintiffs
reside in this district. Lastly, none of the events giving rise to any Plaintiff’s claims took place in
this district. None of the challenged policies was promulgated within this district. At most, it
appears that a religious exemption request for a single Plaintiff was forwarded from his Navy
reserve unit in Fort Worth for a decision by Navy officials located in Arlington, Virginia. But
venue cannot be established by the mere transmission of paperwork to deciding officials by one
Plaintiff. Dismissal for improper venue, or transfer to another district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1406
is therefore warranted.
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 8 of 29 PageID 2592
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 8 of 29 PageID 2592
2
BACKGROUND
I.
Department of Defense’s COVID-19 Vaccination Directive
The Department of Defense’s (“DoD”) current immunization program is governed by DoD
Instruction (“DoDI”) 6205.02. Nine vaccines are required for all service members, including the
annual influenza vaccine, while eight others are required when certain elevated risk factors are
present. See Defs.’ Prelim. Inj. Opp’n App’x at App063 (Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Instruction (“BUMEDINST”) 6230.15B), Table D-1), ECF No. 44-1. In general, DoD aligns its
immunization requirements and eligibility determinations for service members with
recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices. Id. at App009 (DoDI 6205.02, at 1.2). The Military Services have
separately issued regulatory guidance for the administration of vaccines to service members,
including processes to seek medical and religious exemptions. See, e.g., id. at App040–41
(BUMEDINST 6230.15B, ¶¶ 2–6).
On August 9, 2021, the Secretary of Defense, noting the impact COVID-19 rates have on
military readiness, announced that he would add the COVID-19 to the list of diseases for which
routine immunizations are required for all service members by the earlier of mid-September or
upon approval of a vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). See id. at App002
(Mem. for all Defense Employees (Aug. 9, 2021)). On August 24, 2021, after FDA announced the
approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the Secretary directed the Secretaries of the Military
Departments to immediately vaccinate all members of the armed forces under DoD authority who were
not already fully vaccinated. See id. at App004–05 (Mem. For Senior Pentagon Leadership,
Commanders of the Combatant Commands, Defense Agency and DoD Field Activity Directors (Aug.
24, 2021)).
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 9 of 29 PageID 2593
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 9 of 29 PageID 2593
3
II.
The Navy’s Implementation of DoD’s Vaccination Directive
Shortly after the Secretary of Defense issued the vaccination directive, the Navy issued
guidance for implementing the Secretary’s directive. Defs.’ Prelim. Inj. Opp’n App’x at App075–
76 (ALNAV 062/21). Upon determining that COVID-19 “adversely impacts [the Navy’s] force
readiness and mission execution,” the Secretary of the Navy directed active-duty service members
to be fully vaccinated within 90 days (i.e., by November 28, 2021). Id. at App075 (ALNAV 062/21
¶¶ 2, 4).
As with other vaccination requirements, the Navy’s implementation guidance establishes
a process to seek medical and religious exemptions. See id. at App079 (NAVADMIN 190/21 ¶
3.d). All unvaccinated service members receive written counseling, commonly called a “Page 13,”
to advise the service member of potential health, travel, and administrative consequences of
remaining unvaccinated and to inform them of their option to seek an exemption from the
immunization requirement. Id. at App309, App312 (Decl. of William Merz ¶¶ 14, 16), ECF No.
44-3. “A Page 13 is not a punitive action,” “is not considered to be an adverse matter,” and “will
not affect a member’s career.” Id. at App312 (Merz Decl. ¶ 16).
A service member seeking an exemption from immunization for religious reasons must
submit a request via his or her commander and must include a chaplain’s assessment of the
member’s sincerity as well as the Page 13 issued to the service member. Id. at App308–09 (Merz
Decl. ¶ 14). The commander provides an endorsement of the exemption request, but is not
responsible for or authorized to approve or deny the request. Id. at App309 (Merz Decl. ¶ 14).
Instead, the commander forwards the complete request package to the Deputy Chief of Naval
Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education) (“CNO N1”), who is located in
Arlington, Virginia, for a decision on the request. Id.; see also Defs.’ Mot. to Dismiss App’x at
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 10 of 29 PageID 2594
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 10 of 29 PageID 2594
4
App004 (Decl. of Peter DiCaro ¶ 7). The CNO N1’s decision is relayed to the service member by
the member’s commander. Defs.’ Mot. to Dismiss App’x at App004–05 (DiCaro Decl. ¶ 8). If
the CNO N1 denies the request and service member chooses to appeal, the service member submits
the appeal through his or her commander, who provides an endorsement of the request. See id.
Because the commander is not responsible for or authorized to approve or deny the appeal, the
commander forwards the complete appeal package to the Chief of Naval Operations (“CNO”),
who is located in Arlington, Virginia, for a decision on the appeal. Id. at App004–05 (DiCaro
Decl. ¶¶ 8–9).
A service member who refuses vaccination without an approved exemption may be subject
to discipline or adverse administrative action. See, e.g., Defs.’ Prelim. Inj. Opp’n App’x at App075
(ALNAV 062/21 ¶ 5), ECF No. 44-1. But adverse action will not be taken against a service member
with a pending exemption request. Id. at App084 (NAVADMIN 225/21 ¶ 3.c); id. at App294
(Decl. of Mery-Angela Sanabria Katson) ¶ 3), ECF No. 44-3; id. at App306, App310 (Merz Decl.
¶¶ 10 n.9, 14 n.13).
On October 13, 2021, the Navy issued NAVADMIN 225/21, designating the Chief of
Naval Personnel1 as the COVID Consolidated Disposition Authority—the centralized authority to
initiate separation procedures for sailors who refuse the COVID-19 vaccination and do not have a
pending exemption request. Id. at App084–85 (NAVADMIN 225/21 ¶ 5), ECF No. 44-1. The
same NAVADMIN designated the Vice Chief of Naval Operations—the second highest uniformed
officer in the Navy—as the Navy authority to initiate court-martial and non-judicial punishment
1 CNO N1 is identified by the alternate designation of Chief of Naval Personnel (“CNP”) in some policies. CNO N1
and CNP are interchangeable acronyms and refer to the same position and official. See Defs.’ Prelim. Inj. Opp’n
App’x at App309 (Merz Decl. ¶ 14 n.11), ECF No. 44-3.
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 11 of 29 PageID 2595
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 11 of 29 PageID 2595
5
for sailors refusing the COVID-19 vaccination without an exemption. Id. These disciplinary
authorities are thus withheld from lower-level commanders.
On November 15, 2021, the Chief of Naval Personnel issued further guidance to
commanders pertaining for service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccination. See id. at
App089–96 (NAVADMIN 256/21). This guidance provides that the “least favorable
characterization of service for Navy service members refusing the vaccine, without extenuating
circumstances, will be GENERAL (under honorable conditions).” Id. at App090 (NAVADMIN
256/21 ¶ 2.a). However, “Navy service members who are not vaccinated, regardless of exemption
status, may be temporarily reassigned with concurrence of the first flag officer in the administrative
chain of command based on operational readiness and mission requirements.” Id.
III.
Plaintiffs’ Challenge to the DoD and Navy Vaccination Directives
Plaintiffs are 35 service members in the U.S. Navy’s Special Warfare community who do
not wish to take a COVID-19 vaccine. See Compl. ¶ 1, ECF No. 1. None of the Plaintiffs plead
that they reside in the Northern District of Texas. See generally id. Plaintiffs all claim to have
religious objections to taking the COVID-19 vaccine, and most submitted religious exemption
requests. See Defs.’ Mot. to Dismiss App’x at App007 (Decl. of Mery-Angela Sanabria Katson
¶ 2). Even though no Plaintiff’s request has been finally adjudicated, they filed this suit against
the Secretary of Defense, the Department of Defense, and the Secretary of the Navy to challenge
the DoD COVID-19 vaccination directive and the Navy’s guidance implementing that directive
under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (“RFRA”), the First Amendment, and the
Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”). Compl. ¶¶ 100–257.
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 12 of 29 PageID 2596
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 12 of 29 PageID 2596
6
LEGAL STANDARDS
I.
Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction
Rule 12(b)(1) requires dismissal of a complaint where the court “lacks the statutory or
constitutional power to adjudicate the case.” Home Builders Ass’n of Miss., Inc. v. City of
Madison, 143 F.3d 1006, 1010 (5th Cir. 1998) (citation omitted). “The justiciability doctrines of
standing, mootness, political question, and ripeness all originate in Article III’s case or controversy
language.” Choice Inc. v. Greenstein , 691 F.3d 710, 715 (5th Cir. 2012) (citations omitted). “The
plaintiff, as the party asserting jurisdiction, bears the burden of proof.” Id. at 714. “In assessing
jurisdiction, the district court is to accept as true allegations of facts set forth in the complaint.”
Id. “Additionally, ‘the district court is empowered to consider matters of fact which may be in
dispute.’” Id. (quoting Ramming v. United States, 281 F.3d 158, 161 (5th Cir. 2001).
II.
Motion to Dismiss for Improper Venue
“Whether venue is proper is a threshold question.” Holz v. United States, No. 3:08-CV-
1568-P, 2009 WL 10704725, at *2 (N.D. Tex. Sept. 28, 2009) (citation omitted). “A party may
move to dismiss an action based on improper venue pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(3).” Id.
(citing Psarros v. Avior Shipping, Inc., 192 F. Supp. 2d 751, 754 n.4 (S.D. Tex 2002); Mitsui &
Co. (USA), Inc. v. MIRA M/V, 111 F.3d 33, 37 (5th Cir. 1997)). Although “[o]n a Rule 12(b)(3)
motion to dismiss for improper venue, the court must accept as true all allegations in the complaint
and resolve all conflicts in favor of the plaintiff,” Braspetro Oil Servs. Co. v. Modec (USA), Inc.,
240 F. App’x 612, 615 (5th Cir. 2007), “the court is permitted to look at evidence beyond simply
those facts alleged in the complaint and its proper attachments,” United States for use & benefit of
Robert Lloyd Elec. Co. v. Fluor Enters., Inc., No. 7:19-CV-00036-O, 2019 WL 13112058, at *2
(N.D. Tex. Aug. 26, 2019) (O’Connor, J.) (quoting Ambraco, Inc. v. Bossclip B.V., 570 F.3d 233,
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 13 of 29 PageID 2597
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 13 of 29 PageID 2597
7
238 (5th Cir. 2009)).
“Once a defendant raises the issue of improper venue, the plaintiff has the burden to prove
that the chosen venue is proper.” Martin, Mason, Stutz, L.L.P. v. Columbia Sussex Corp., No.
3:08-CV-2190-O, 2009 WL 10704844, at *3 (N.D. Tex. Apr. 21, 2009) (O’Connor, J.) (citing
Psarros, 192 F. Supp. 2d at 753); see also Igene v. Sessions, No. CV H-17-3143, 2018 WL
1582239, at *1 (S.D. Tex. Mar. 29, 2018); Brewer v. United States, No. CV H-17-870, 2017 WL
6398637, at *1 (S.D. Tex. June 19, 2017). Moreover, “[w]hen a case involves multiple claims,
venue must be proper as to each claim asserted.” Fluor Enters., 2019 WL 13112058, at *4 (quoting
Tabletop Media, LLC v. Citizen Sys. Am. Corp., No. 3:16-cv-1304-C, 2016 WL 11522083 (N.D.
Tex. Sept. 21, 2016)).
“If a district court where suit is filed determines that venue is improper, it has discretion to
either dismiss the suit, or ‘if it be in the interest of justice, transfer such case to any district or
division in which it could have been brought.’” McClintock v. Sch. Bd. E. Feliciana Par., 299 F.
App’x 363, 366 (5th Cir. 2008) (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a)); Caldwell v. Palmetto State Sav.
Bank of S.C., 811 F.2d 916, 919 (5th Cir. 1987) (stating that the “court has broad discretion in
deciding whether to order a transfer” and may do so “upon a motion or sua sponte”).
ARGUMENT
This Court lacks jurisdiction over the case because Plaintiffs’ claims are not ripe and they
have failed to exhaust their administrative remedies. Even if the Court finds that it has jurisdiction,
the case must be dismissed or transferred for improper venue.
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 14 of 29 PageID 2598
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 14 of 29 PageID 2598
8
A. The Case Must Be Dismissed Because Plaintiffs’ Claims Are Not Ripe.
Plaintiffs’ claims are not ripe.2 “The ripeness doctrine’s basic rationale is to prevent the
courts, through avoidance of premature adjudication, from entangling themselves in abstract
disagreements.” TOTAL Gas & Power N. Am., Inc. v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n, 859 F.3d
325, 333 (5th Cir. 2017) (quoting Choice Inc. of Tex. v. Greenstein, 691 F.3d 710, 715 (5th Cir.
2012)). Ripeness “protects the agencies from judicial interference until an administrative decision
has been formalized and its effects felt in a concrete way by the challenging parties.” Huawei
Techs. USA, Inc. v. FCC, 2 F.4th 421, 434 (5th Cir. 2021) (quoting Abbott Labs. v. Gardner, 387
U.S. 136, 148–49 (1967)). “If [a] purported injury is ‘contingent on future events that may not
occur as anticipated, or indeed may not occur at all,’ the claim is not ripe for adjudication.” Lopez
v. City of Houston, 617 F.3d 336, 342 (5th Cir. 2010) (quoting Thomas v. Union Carbide Agric.
Prods. Co., 473 U.S. 568, 580–81 (1985)).
“To determine whether claims are ripe, [courts] evaluate (1) the fitness of the issues for
judicial resolution, and (2) the potential hardship to the parties caused by declining court
consideration.” Id. at 341. Both prongs must be satisfied. “Unsuitability for review is
determinative.” Huawei Techs., 2 F.4th at 435 n.30. Similarly, a court need not “address the
fitness of the issues for judicial decision” where a plaintiff “has not satisfied the hardship prong of
the ripeness inquiry.” Choice Inc., 691 F.3d at 718. Generally, “a case is not ripe if further factual
development is required.” Monk v. Huston, 340 F.3d 279, 282 (5th Cir. 2003) (citation omitted).
Plaintiffs’ claims fail to satisfy each prong. Their claims are not fit for judicial resolution
for several reasons. First, “matters ‘still pending before [an agency] . . . [are] not yet ripe for
2 In its Order on Plaintiffs’ Preliminary Injunction, ECF No. 66, the Court addressed justiciability under Mindes v.
Seaman, 453 F.2d 197, 201 (5th Cir. 1971), including Defendants’ claim that exhaustion of intra-military remedies is
required before judicial review. But the Court did not address or decide whether Plaintiffs’ claims were ripe for review
in the preliminary injunction order.
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 15 of 29 PageID 2599
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 15 of 29 PageID 2599
9
judicial review.’” Shrimpers & Fisherman of the RGV v. U.S. Army Corps of Eng’rs, 849 F. App’x
459, 462 (5th Cir. 2021) (quoting La. Power & Light Co. v. Fed. Power Comm’n, 526 F.2d 898,
910 (5th Cir. 1976)). Plaintiffs brought suit before any had a final decision on their religious
accommodation requests.3 See Huawei Techs., 2 F.4th at 434–35. Addressing Plaintiffs’ claims
before their religious accommodation requests are finally adjudicated “would require the Court to
adjudicate internal military affairs before the military chain of command has had a fully
opportunity to consider the accommodation requests at issue.” Church v. Biden, No. 21-2815,
2021 WL 5179215, at *11 (D.D.C. Nov. 8, 2021). Plaintiffs’ RFRA claims require scrutiny of
“the asserted harm of granting specific exemptions to particular religious claimants.” Gonzales v.
O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegetal, 546 U.S. 418, 431 (2006). But without a final
decision on their religious accommodation requests, there is no decision to grant or to deny an
exemption to Plaintiffs based on their circumstances subject to judicial review, nor a complete
record on the matter. Also, “immediate judicial review directed at the lawfulness of” Plaintiffs’
compliance with the vaccination directive before appeals are adjudicated “could hinder [Navy]
efforts to refine its policies[]” while considering those appeals. See Ohio Forestry Ass’n v. Sierra
Club, 523 U.S. 726, 735 (1998). Moreover, the Navy does not merely request that service members
complete the religious accommodation request procedure. Instead, the requirement of completing
religious accommodation request procedure is prescribed in Navy regulations that are valid and
binding on service members. The regulations are designed to assure that the military’s decision-
making process is followed. Plaintiffs present no basis for disregarding them.
3 One Plaintiff failed to seek a religious accommodation request. Defs.’ Mot. to Dismiss App’x at App007 (Katson
Decl. ¶ 2). Eight Plaintiffs who received an initial determination on their religious accommodation request failed to
appeal the decision. Id. These Plaintiffs’ unilateral decisions not to provide Navy officials with a full opportunity to
consider their requests for an accommodation cannot provide a basis for determining that their claims are fit for judicial
resolution. That is especially so where Plaintiffs have not shown that the Navy would decline to address any requests
or appeals submitted now. See id. (Katson Decl. ¶ 3).
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 16 of 29 PageID 2600
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 16 of 29 PageID 2600
10
Second, even assuming their religious accommodation requests will be denied, Plaintiffs’
claims would still be unripe for judicial resolution at this time. The Supreme Court opinion in
Toilet Goods Association v. Gardner, 387 U.S. 158 (1967), is instructive. There, a statute
prohibited the use of color additives without agency certification. The challenged regulation
provided that the agency “may immediately suspend certification service” to any covered facility
refusing agency inspector access. Id. at 161. The Court found the validity of the regulation unripe
for review. Id. at 162–64. Because the regulation was permissive rather than mandatory—it did
not compel the agency to suspend certification but only purported to authorize the agency to
exercise a discretionary power to do so—the legal issues could arise in a variety of contexts
depending on the agency’s subsequent determination of the circumstances justifying the use of the
sanction of suspension. Id. at 163–64.
In this case, Navy regulations provide that “Navy service members refusing the COVID-
19 vaccination, absent pending or other approved exemption, shall be processed for administrative
separation[.]” NAVADMIN 225 ¶ 2. But the Navy’s “initiation of separation proceedings is a
tentative action not fit for judicial review; one can only speculate as to the final outcome of any
proceeding.” Smith v. Harvey, 541 F. Supp. 2d 8, 13 (D.D.C. 2008). “Members processed for
separation may ultimately be retained in the service.” Defs.’ Prelim. Inj. Opp’n App’x at App311
(Merz Decl. ¶ 15 n.14), ECF No. 44-3. Both enlisted members and officers are entitled to
meaningful opportunities to dispute the basis for their separation. Id. at App312–20 (Merz Decl.
¶¶ 17–22). “It is possible that something” raised by the service member during these proceedings
“will compel [the Navy] to drop the [separation].” See TOTAL Gas & Power N. Am., 859 F.3d at
336; see also Robert v. Austin, No. 21-CV-0228-RM-STV, 2022 WL 103374, at *2–3 (D. Colo.
Jan. 11, 2022) (finding service members’ claims were based on speculation and not ripe for
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 17 of 29 PageID 2601
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 17 of 29 PageID 2601
11
review).
Plaintiffs also fail to demonstrate hardship from delay. Between now and when the Navy
finally decides whether to pursue adverse administrative action against any Plaintiff whose
religious accommodation request is finally denied, Plaintiffs “suffer no concrete harm from the
challenged policy itself, which does not require them to do anything or to refrain from doing
anything.” Trump v. New York, 141 S. Ct. 530, 536 (2020) (quotation omitted). “[N]o direct
dilemma or Hobson’s choice is faced by Plaintiff[s] now.” Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas v.
Sebelius, 927 F. Supp. 2d 406, 427 (N.D. Tex. 2013). First, “Plaintiffs have received a temporary
administrative exemption from the vaccine mandate while their appeals are pending . . . which
allows them to retain their positions without receiving the vaccine or facing discipline.” Church,
2021 WL 5179215, at *16.4 Second, even assuming that Plaintiffs’ appeals might be denied and
they are processed for separation, “[p]ostponement of any decision here would not serve as a
hardship to [Plaintiffs] given that a final decision in [Plaintiffs’] favor at the involuntary separation
proceedings may render this action unnecessary.” Smith, 541 F. Supp. 2d at 13. Moreover,
Plaintiffs cannot demonstrate a pressing hardship because of the time period needed for separation.
“For officers, it generally takes between 6 to 12 months from the time the officer is notified to
show cause to the officer’s approved separation” and “[a]dministrative separation of enlisted
service members often takes several months[,]” in light of the process provided to members to
ensure that their arguments against separation are heard. Defs.’ Prelim. Inj. Opp’n App’x at
App315–16 (Merz Decl. ¶ 19), ECF No. 44-3. “‘[T]he expense and annoyance of [this] litigation,
though [arguably] ‘substantial, is part of the social burden of living under government,’ and thus
4 Although nine Plaintiffs have either not submitted a religious accommodation request at all or have declined to
appeal their initial denial, again, these Plaintiffs have not shown that the Navy would decline to address any requests
or appeals submitted now, initiating a temporary administrative exemption from the vaccine mandate. See Defs.’ Mot.
to Dismiss App’x at App007 (Katson Decl. ¶¶ 2–3).
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 18 of 29 PageID 2602
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 18 of 29 PageID 2602
12
cannot constitute sufficient hardship for ripeness.” TOTAL Gas & Power N. Am., 859 F.3d at 338
(quoting Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n, 567 F.3d 134, 141–
42 (5th Cir. 2009)).
Plaintiffs assert that without vaccination against COVID-19 they may be or have been
medically unqualified to serve as special operations duty personnel or unable to deploy. Compl.
¶¶ 92–93. But these purported hardships are not judicially cognizable. See Schlanger v. United
States, 586 F.2d 667, 671 (9th Cir. 1978) (“[C]ourts should not review internal military decisions
such as duty order or duty assignments.”). The Navy must be permitted to select only the most
medically qualified service members for military service—and especially in special operations
units. As the Supreme Court has explained, “we have found no case where this Court has assumed
to revise duty orders as to one lawfully in the service.” Orloff v. Willoughby, 345 U.S. 83, 94
(1953). And even if it were cognizable, “harm inflicted by the denial of routine duty assignment
is negligible.” Harkness v. Sec’y of Navy, 858 F.3d 437, 444 (6th Cir. 2017).
B. Plaintiffs Failed to Exhaust Administrative Remedies.
Plaintiffs’ claims should be dismissed for failure to exhaust their intra-military remedies.
See Von Hoffburg v. Alexander, 615 F.2d 633, 637–38 (5th Cir. 1980); Hodges v. Callaway, 499
F.2d 417, 419–20 (5th Cir. 1974); Mindes v. Seaman, 453 F.2d 197, 201 (5th Cir. 1971).
Defendants recognize that this Court found that Plaintiffs should be excused from the exhaustion
requirement in its preliminary injunction order. See U.S. Navy SEALs 1-26 v. Biden, --- F. Supp.
3d ---, 2022 WL 34443, at *5–8 (N.D. Tex. Jan. 3, 2022). But Defendants respectfully disagree
with the Court’s opinion and are considering appellate options. If the Court’s ruling is not upheld,
this case should be dismissed for the reasons Defendants set forth in their opposition to Plaintiffs’
motion for a preliminary injunction. See Defs.’ Opp’n 11–15, ECF No. 43.
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 19 of 29 PageID 2603
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 19 of 29 PageID 2603
13
C. Venue Is Not Proper In This District.
If the case is not dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, the case should be dismissed for
improper venue. Although Plaintiffs assert that “[v]enue is proper in this district pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 1391(e)” because “the military workplace and the location in which a substantial part of
the events or omissions giving rise to the claims of at least one Plaintiff is in Fort Worth, Texas,
in this Court’s District and Division,” Compl. ¶ 13; see also id. ¶ 21 (same), this assertion is not
sufficient to establish venue in this district.
The applicable venue statute provides that a case against an officer of the United States
acting in his official capacity may be brought (1) where “a defendant in the action resides,”
(2) where a “substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred,” or
(3) where “the plaintiff resides.” 28 U.S.C. § 1391(e)(1); Seariver Mar. Fin. Holdings, Inc. v.
Pena, 952 F. Supp. 455, 457 (S.D. Tex. 1996). This case does not fall within any of these three
categories and thus must be dismissed or transferred. See Atl. Marine Constr. Co. v. U.S. Dist.
Court for W. Dist. of Tex., 571 U.S. 49, 56 (2013) (in considering the section of the venue statute
applicable to private parties, stating that if the case does not fall within one of the three statutory
categories, “venue is improper, and the case must be dismissed or transferred”).
First, no Defendant resides in the Northern District of Texas. See 28 U.S.C.
§ 1391(e)(1)(A). The U.S. Department of Defense “ha[s] [its] official residence for venue
purposes in the District of Columbia.”5 Airport Wkg. Grp. of Orange Cnty., Inc. v. U.S. Dep’t of
Def., 226 F. Supp. 2d 227, 228 (D.D.C. 2002); Wilson v. Dep’t of the Army, No. 3:13-cv-643-H,
5 Some courts have found that in cases against the Department of Defense, venue lies in the Eastern District of Virginia
because the Pentagon is located in Arlington, Virginia, despite its Washington, D.C. mailing address. See, e.g., Kruise
v. Fanning, No. 15-cv-1213, 2016 WL 11672724, at *3 n.4 (D.D.C. June 14, 2016); Collins v. Hagel, No. 1:13-cv-
2051-WSD, 2015 WL 5691076, at *2 (N.D. Ga. Sept. 28, 2015); Jones v. Hagel, 956 F. Supp. 2d 284, 288 n.3 (D.D.C.
2013). However, those cases analyze venue under Title VII’s venue statute, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(3), rather than
the statute applicable here, 28 U.S.C. § 1391(e). Regardless, the Department of Defense does not have its official
residence in the Northern District of Texas.
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 20 of 29 PageID 2604
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 20 of 29 PageID 2604
14
2013 WL 6730281, at *1 (S.D. Cal. Dec. 19, 2013) (same); see also 14D Arthur R. Miller, et al.,
Federal Practice and Procedure § 3815 (4th ed. 2013) (“under Section 1391(e)(1)(A) the relevant
inquiry
is
the
official
residence”);
U.S.
Dep’t
of
Defense,
Mailing
Addresses,
https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Mailing-Addresses/ (last visited Jan. 14, 2022). Although
Plaintiffs assert that a “military workplace” is located in Fort Worth, Compl. ¶¶ 13, 21, “a federal
agency does not reside in a district merely by virtue of having an office in that district,” Caremark
Therapeutic Servs. v. Leavitt, 405 F. Supp. 2d 454, 463–64 (S.D.N.Y. 2005); see Bosse v. Chertoff,
No. 05-cv-02170-MSK, 2007 WL 484590, at *1–2 (D. Colo. Feb. 9, 2007) (finding that the
Department of Homeland Security and its component U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(“CIS”) do not reside in Colorado, even though CIS has an office in Denver); Williams v. United
States, No. C-01-0024 EDL, 2001 WL 1352885, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 23, 2001) (“Venue does not
lie in every judicial district where a federal agency has a regional office.”). To find otherwise
would strip Section 1391(e) of its meaning because the Department of Defense likely would
“reside” in every district, and thus there would be nationwide venue in claims against the military.
See Reuben H. Donnelley Corp. v. FTC, 580 F.2d 264, 267 (7th Cir. 1978); see also Office of the
Assistant
Secretary
of
Defense
for
Sustainment,
Real
Property
Accountability,
https://www.acq.osd.mil/ eie/bsi/bei_rpa.html (last visited Jan. 12, 2022) (stating that DoD’s “real
estate portfolio is one of the world’s largest, with over 500,000 buildings and structures at more
than 500 installations, comprising over millions of acres of land spread throughout the United
States, U.S. territories and over 30 other foreign countries”).
With respect to Defendants the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy, “[t]he
general rule in suits against public officials is that a defendant’s residence for venue purpose[s] is
the district where he performs his official duties.” Banks v. Fed. Deposit Ins. Corp., No. 3:08-cv-
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 21 of 29 PageID 2605
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 21 of 29 PageID 2605
15
1076-G, 2009 WL 289604, at *2 (N.D. Tex. Feb. 2, 2009) (quoting Fla. Nursing Home Ass’n v.
Page, 616 F.2d 1355, 1360 (5th Cir. 1980)), aff’d, 374 F. App’x 532 (5th Cir. 2010); see also
Reuben H. Donnelley Corp., 580 F.2d at 267; 14D Federal Practice and Procedure § 3815 (“under
Section 1391(e)(1)(A) the relevant inquiry is the official residence”). The Complaint does not
allege that either the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the Navy performs any official duties
in the Northern District of Texas. See generally Compl. Indeed, the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretary of the Navy perform their official duties at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and in
Washington, D.C. See U.S. Dep’t of Defense, Mailing Addresses, https://www.defense.gov/
Resources/Mailing-Addresses/ (last visited Jan. 14, 2022). Accordingly, under 28 U.S.C.
§ 1391(e)(1)(A), venue is proper in the Eastern District of Virginia or the District of Columbia,
not in this district. See Smith v. Dalton, 927 F. Supp. 1, 6 (D.D.C. 1996) (finding that both the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy perform a significant amount of their official
duties at the Pentagon and in Washington, D.C., such that venue is proper in the Eastern District
of Virginia and the District of Columbia); Webster v. Mattis, 279 F. Supp. 3d 14, 19 (D.D.C. 2017)
(finding same in a case against the Secretary of Defense); Bartman v. Cheney, 827 F. Supp. 1, 2
(D.D.C. 1993) (same); Vince v. Mabus, 956 F. Supp. 2d 83, 88 (D.D.C. 2013) (finding same in a
case against the Secretary of the Navy); Jyachosky v. Winter, No. CIV.A.04-01733(HHK), 2006
WL 1805607, at *4 (D.D.C. June 29, 2006) (same).
Second, Plaintiffs do not allege that any plaintiff resides in the Northern District of Texas.
See generally Compl. Indeed, although Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1’s “duty station is in Fort Worth,
Texas,” Pls.’ App. 000871, ECF No. 17-6, he does not reside in this district, see Defs.’ Mot. to
Dismiss App’x at App002 (DiCaro Decl. ¶ 5 n.2), nor do any of the other plaintiffs. Venue cannot
be established based on residency of Navy SEAL 1 or any of the other Plaintiffs.
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 22 of 29 PageID 2606
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 22 of 29 PageID 2606
16
Finally, contrary to Plaintiff’s bare assertion, see Compl. ¶¶ 13, 21, a “substantial part of
the events or omissions giving rise to the claim” did not occur in this district. 28 U.S.C.
§ 1391(e)(1)(B). “Although the chosen venue does not have to be the place where the most
relevant events took place, the selected district’s contacts still must be substantial.” McClintock,
299 F. App’x at 3656; see also Gulf Ins. Co. v. Glasbrenner, 417 F.3d 353, 357 (2d Cir. 2005)
(cautioning district courts to “take seriously the adjective ‘substantial,’” which “means for venue
to be proper, significant events or omissions material to the plaintiff’s claim must have occurred
in the district in question, even if other material events occurred elsewhere”). “A substantial part
of the events does not mean the single triggering event of a cause of action, but rather looks to the
entirety of the claim.” Redi-Mix Sols., Ltd. v. Express Chipping, Inc., No. 6:16-CV-298-RWS-
KNM, 2017 WL 3671377, at *8 (E.D. Tex. Feb. 9, 2017), (citing Mt. Hawley Ins. Co. v. Baddley
Chem. Co., No. CIVA H-06-0565, 2006 WL 2022909, at *1 (S.D. Tex. July 17, 2006)), report and
recommendation adopted, No. 6:16-CV-298-RWS-KNM, 2017 WL 3671372 (E.D. Tex. Mar. 14,
2017); see also Kopin v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 3-11-CV-1698-O, 2011 WL 13130489, at
*3 (N.D. Tex. Nov. 14, 2011) (O’Connor, J.) (“[W]hile venue may be proper in more than one
judicial district, a single event may not form the basis for proper venue.”). Moreover, “the Court
looks to the defendant’s conduct, and where that conduct took place,” rather than actions taken by
the plaintiff. Bigham v. Envirocare of Utah, Inc., 123 F. Supp. 2d 1046, 1048 (S.D. Tex. 2000)
(citing Woodke v. Dahm, 70 F.3d 983, 985–86 (8th Cir. 1995)).
In this case, the relevant actions of the Defendants giving rise to Plaintiffs’ claims are the
6 McClintock and additional cases cited above address venue under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2). Because the language of
28 U.S.C. § 1391(e)(1)(B) is identical to that of 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2), it is appropriate to consider case law applying
section 1391(b)(2) in analyzing the applicability of section 1391(e)(1)(B). See 14D Federal Practice and Procedure
§ 3815 (“[T]he language under Section 1391(e)(1)(B) [is] identical with that under the ‘transaction venue’ provision
of the general venue statute. Thus, cases construing the general provision may be helpful in construing this provision
of Section 1391(e)(1)(B).”).
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 23 of 29 PageID 2607
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 23 of 29 PageID 2607
17
issuance of the DoD COVID-19 vaccination directive, see Compl. ¶¶ 27–36, the issuance of the
Navy’s COVID-19 vaccination directive, id. ¶¶ 37–49, and the issuance of Trident Order #12, id.
¶ 93. Those are the acts that Plaintiffs claim were wrongful, and these actions are the focus of
each of the Counts of the Complaint. See id. ¶¶ 100–257; see also U.S. Navy SEALs 1-26, 2022
WL 34443, at *9 (“Plaintiffs make two substantive claims. First, they allege the vaccine mandate
violates RFRA and the First Amendment. Second, they allege the mandate’s permanent medical-
disqualification provision fails strict scrutiny.”).
None of these three policies were issued in the Northern District of Texas. The Secretary
of Defense’s memorandum directing full vaccination of service members bears a Washington,
D.C. address, and the Navy’s vaccination directive (ALNAV 062/21) likewise reflects that it was
issued by the Secretary of the Navy in Washington, D.C. See Compl. Ex. 1 (Secretary of Defense
Mem.), ECF No. 1-1; Compl. Ex. 2 (ALNAV 062/21), ECF No. 1-2. Trident Order #12 was issued
by the Commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California. See Defs.’
Prelim. Inj. Opp. App’x at App098 (Trident Order #12), ECF No. 44-1. Accordingly, Plaintiffs’
cause of action arose either in the District of Columbia or in the Southern District of California.
See Nat’l Ass’n of Life Underwriters v. Clarke, 761 F. Supp. 1285, 1293 (W.D. Tex. 1991) (“The
cause of action arose in Washington, D.C., where the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
made the decision to approve NCNB’s plans.”); see also Pasem v. U.S. Citizenship & Immigr.
Servs., No. 20-CV-344 (CRC), 2020 WL 2514749, at *3 (D.D.C. May 15, 2020) (stating that in
APA cases, the underlying claim typically arises “where the decisionmaking process occur[s]”
(quotation omitted)).
The record reflects that only one Plaintiff, Navy SEAL 1, has any connection to Texas, but
this connection is insufficient to show that a “substantial” part of the events giving rise to his claim
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 24 of 29 PageID 2608
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 24 of 29 PageID 2608
18
occurred in this district. 28 U.S.C. § 1391(e)(1)(B). At most, all that occurred with respect to
Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1 is that paperwork concerning his religious exemption request was
forwarded to Navy decision-makers in Arlington, Virginia. Venue in this district hinges entirely
on this thin reed, and it is not proper. Because Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1 is unvaccinated and his
“duty station is in Fort Worth, Texas,” Pls.’ App. 000871, ECF No. 17-6, he was issued a
standardized “Administrative Remarks” form (the “Page 13”) from his commander in Fort Worth,
Defs.’ Mot. to Dismiss App’x at App003–04 (DiCaro Decl. ¶ 6). “The Page 13 is not adverse or
punitive,” and instead served “to document that [Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1] was notified of the
vaccine policy and associated requirements.” Id. Because a “Page 13 is not a punitive action” and
“will not affect a member’s career,” Defs.’ Prelim. Inj. Opp’n App’x at App312 (Merz Decl. ¶ 16),
ECF No. 44-3, and indeed, did not result in any adverse action taken against Plaintiff Navy SEAL
1 or affect his medical qualification to perform special operations duty, Defs.’ Mot. to Dismiss
App’x at App003–04 (DiCaro Decl. ¶ 6), the issuance of the Page 13 to Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1
cannot be considered an event that gave rise to his claim.
In accordance with Navy policy, Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1 included a copy of the Page 13
with his religious accommodation request, which he submitted to his commanding officer in Fort
Worth. Defs.’ Mot. to Dismiss App’x at App004 (DiCaro Decl. ¶¶ 6–7); Defs.’ Prelim. Inj. Opp’n
App’x at App308–09 (Merz Decl. ¶ 14), ECF No. 44-3 (noting that the Page 13 must be submitted
with a religious accommodation request); Pls.’ App. 000873, ECF No. 17-6. Although his
commander in Fort Worth provided an endorsement on the request in accordance with Navy
policy, that commander is not the approval authority for granting or denying such requests. Defs.’
Mot. to Dismiss App’x at App004 (DiCaro Decl. ¶ 7). Accordingly, the commander forwarded
the request to Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education),
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 25 of 29 PageID 2609
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 25 of 29 PageID 2609
19
the responsible authority in Arlington, Virginia. Id. Once the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
denied the request, the commander in Fort Worth forwarded the denial letter to Plaintiff Navy
SEAL 1. Id. at App004–05 (DiCaro Decl. ¶ 8). Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1 submitted his appeal
through his Fort Worth command, which again included an endorsement of the request in
accordance with Navy policy, and forwarded the appeal to the Chief of Naval Operations, the
authority responsible for issuing a final decision on the appeal, in Arlington, Virginia. Id. at
App004–05 (DiCaro Decl. ¶¶ 8–9). Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1’s appeal is pending and will be finally
adjudicated in Arlington. Id. at App005 (DiCaro Decl. ¶ 9). No decision on Plaintiff Navy SEAL
1’s exemption request has been (or will be) made in Texas, and it simply cannot be said, based on
the mere transmission of his request from Fort Worth to decision-makers in Virginia, that a
substantial part of the events giving rise to his claim has occurred in this district. See Wei Lai Dev.
LLC v. U.S. Citizenship & Immigr. Servs., No. 21-887 (RDM), 2021 WL 2073403, at *3 (D.D.C.
May 24, 2021) (finding that because “Plaintiffs’ immigration petition and application were both
adjudicated at the California Service Center in Laguna Niguel, California,” “‘a substantial part of
the events . . . giving rise to [Plaintiffs’] claim[s] occurred’ in the Central District of California,
[and] venue is proper in that district” (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 1391(e)(1))); Gyau v. Sessions, No. 18-
cv-407, 2018 WL 4964502, at *1 (D.D.C. Oct. 15, 2018) (finding venue proper in the district
where “the events giving rise to plaintiffs’ claim—the adjudication of their I-130 petition and
subsequent appeal to the BIA”—took place).
In sum, all that has occurred in this district is that the command in Fort Worth issued the
non-punitive Page 13 to Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1, provided endorsements on his exemption request
and appeal, and forwarded paperwork to the authorities responsible for deciding his initial
exemption request and his appeal. None of these events gave rise to Plaintiff Navy SEAL 1’s
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 26 of 29 PageID 2610
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 26 of 29 PageID 2610
20
claims that the DoD COVID-19 vaccination directive, the Navy’s COVID-19 vaccination
directive, and Trident Order #12 violate his rights under RFRA and the First Amendment and are
unlawful under the APA, let alone constitute a “substantial part of the events” giving rise to his
claims. Accordingly, venue in the Northern District of Texas is not proper under 28 U.S.C.
§ 1391(e)(1)(B).
Because this case does not fall within one of the three categories set out in 28 U.S.C.
§ 1391(e), the case should be dismissed for lack of venue under Rule 12(b)(3) or transferred to the
District of Columbia, the Eastern District of Virginia, or the Southern District of California
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1406. See Seariver Maritime Fin. Holdings, 952 F. Supp. at 462 (noting
that the District of Columbia was an “obvious” venue choice in light of the plaintiffs’ challenge to
the constitutionality of federal legislation).
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court should dismiss the case.
Dated: January 14, 2022
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Acting Assistant Attorney General
ALEXANDER K. HAAS
Director, Federal Programs Branch
ANTHONY J. COPPOLINO
Deputy Director
/s/Courtney D. Enlow
ANDREW E. CARMICHAEL
AMY E. POWELL
Senior Trial Counsel
STUART J. ROBINSON
Senior Counsel
ZACHARY A. AVALLONE
COURTNEY D. ENLOW (NC Bar No. 46578)
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 27 of 29 PageID 2611
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 27 of 29 PageID 2611
21
LIAM C. HOLLAND
CASSANDRA SNYDER
Trial Attorneys
United States Department of Justice
Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch
1100 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 616-8467
Fax: (202) 616-8470
Email: courtney.d.enlow@usdoj.gov
Counsel for Official Capacity Defendants
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 28 of 29 PageID 2612
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 28 of 29 PageID 2612
22
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on January 14, 2022, I electronically filed the foregoing paper with the
Clerk of Court using this Court’s CM/ECF system, which will notify all counsel of record of such
filing.
/s/Courtney D. Enlow
COURTNEY D. ENLOW
Trial Attorney
United States Department of Justice
Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch
1100 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 616-8467
Fax: (202) 616-8470
Email: courtney.d.enlow@usdoj.gov
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 29 of 29 PageID 2613
Case 4:21-cv-01236-O Document 74 Filed 01/14/22 Page 29 of 29 PageID 2613