{"argument_date":"2005-01-11T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2005-01-11T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2004","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Clement argued this case mirrors a 130-year-old spy dispute.","Mr. Burman noted the government did not challenge due process rights.","Justice Stevens asked if a spy has no legal recourse at all.","Justice Scalia questioned if spy work blocks salary claims entirely."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 37-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 37-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 31-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 31-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-45"}]}],"caption":"Tenet v. Doe","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:29.689302Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:29.704183Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether federal law bars spies from suing for compensation.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 31-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 31-13"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2005-01-11T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2004","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/03-1395.html","primary_docket":"03-1395","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T15:01:47.863107Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests if the government can block spy pay claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 31-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 31-13"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 11, 2005."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 15-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want a court order for their unpaid wages.","the opposing sides want the dismissal of the pay claim to stand."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 31-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 31-13"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue spies retain legal rights to their earned salary.","the opposing sides argue secrecy rules bar any legal claim for pay."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 31-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 31-13"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked if this resembles an unenforceable gift promise.","Justice Scalia asked if spies can sue for regular salary."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 37-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 37-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-45"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This defines the legal limits on government secrecy claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 31-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 31-13"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 37-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 37-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-45"}]}],"slug":"2004-03-1395-tenet-v-doe","term":"2004","title":"Can spies sue for unpaid secret work?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 31-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1395.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 31-13"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}