October Term 2021 · Docket 20-828
Does the state secrets privilege bar FISA claims?
The FBI seeks dismissal of surveillance claims. Plaintiffs seek damages for alleged unlawful spying.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Kneedler argued the privilege is grounded in the Constitution.
Mr. Arulanantham argued the FBI seeks dismissal of religion claims.
Ms. Carroll argued Section 1806(f) provides a narrow mechanism.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 21-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 21-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-29
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The FBI argues the state secrets privilege protects national security. Plaintiffs argue the FBI seeks dismissal, not just exclusion.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 21-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 21-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 8, 2021.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-21
What each side wants
The FBI wants the case dismissed to protect secrets.
Plaintiffs want to sue for damages from surveillance.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 21-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 21-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-7
What each side says
The FBI claims the privilege is constitutional and critical.
Plaintiffs claim the FBI seeks dismissal of their claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 21-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 21-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-7
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked about standing for unlawful surveillance claims.
Justice Kagan asked if the statute covers discovery and suppression.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-29
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of the state secrets privilege. It determines whether plaintiffs can sue over surveillance. It balances national security against individual rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 21-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 21-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-7
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-29
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 21-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 21-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 21-17 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 21-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-7
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.