Johnson v. Trump

Background

Alexander Johnson submitted the action to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by email. The order concerns the requirements for starting the civil case; it does not discuss the substance of Johnson's claims against Donald J. Trump.

Fee or IFP requirement

The court explained that a plaintiff must either pay the required fees or request permission to proceed without prepaying them. It ordered Johnson, within 30 days of January 28, 2025, to do one of two things: pay $405 in fees, consisting of a $350 filing fee and a $55 administrative fee, or complete, sign, and submit the attached application to proceed without prepaying fees. The court stated that no further action would be taken, and no summons would issue or answer would be required, until the payment or completed application was received.

If Johnson complied, the case would be processed under the Clerk's Office procedures. If the court granted the application, Johnson would be allowed to proceed without prepaying fees. If he failed to comply or failed to request an extension of time, the action would be dismissed without prejudice to refiling.

Appeal

The court certified that an appeal from the order would not be taken in good faith and denied permission to appeal without prepaying fees.

Ruling

Judge Laura Taylor Swain ordered Johnson to pay the fees or submit a completed and signed application to proceed without prepaying them. The order did not decide the merits of the case.