Document: 544 U.S. 1 TENET ET AL.v.DOE UX. No. 03-1395. Supreme Court of United States. Argued January 11, 2005. Decided March 2, Respondent husband and wife filed suit against the States Director Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), asserting estoppel due process claims for CIA's alleged failure to provide them with financial assistance it had promised in return their espionage services during Cold War. The District denied Government's motions dismiss summary judgment, finding that respondents' were not barred by rule Totten v. States, 92 U. S. 105, prohibiting suits Government based on covert agreements. Affirming relevant part, Ninth Circuit reasoned posed no bar reviewing some thus case could proceed trial, subject evidentiary state secrets privilege Court's resolving issue. Held: Respondents' is rule. In Totten, this concluded difficulty President authority bind contracts secret agents, observed very essence such a contract was remain so, found allowing former spy bring enforce would be entirely incompatible contract's nature. quite wrong holding does require dismissal claims. It developed merely rule, breach-of-contract seeking an agreement's terms but barring or However, so limited. precludes judicial review cases as where success depends existence relationship Government. Id., at 107. also claimed been recast simply early expression "state secrets" privilege, rather than categorical claims, relying mainly Reynolds, 345 1, which widows civilians killed military plane crash sought privileged information wrongful-death action While Reynolds looked invoking "well established" way signaled retreat from Totten's broader lawsuits premised agreements are altogether forbidden. later credited more sweeping Weinberger Catholic Action Haw./Peace Ed. Project, 454 139, 146-147, confirming its continued validity. therefore cannot plausibly read have replaced distinct class depend upon clandestine relationships. Nor Webster Doe, 486 592, addressed constitutional made acknowledged (though covert) CIA employees, support claim. Only core concern implicated: preventing plaintiff's being revealed. use camera proceedings absolute protection necessary enunciating possibility may revealed unacceptable. Forcing litigate these make vulnerable "graymail," i.e., individual brought induce settle out fear litigation reveal classified might undermine operations. And requiring invoke case-by-case basis risks perception either denying relationships plaintiffs. Pp. 7-11. 329 F.3d 1135, reversed. REHNQUIST, C. J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. STEVENS, concurring opinion, GINSBURG, joined, post, p. 11. SCALIA, 12. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR NINTH CIRCUIT. Acting Solicitor General Clement argued cause petitioners. With him briefs Assistant Attorney Keisler, Deputy Katsas, Lisa Blatt, Barbara L. Herwig, H. Thomas Byron III. David J. Burman respondents. brief Steven W. Hale, Elizabeth A. Alaniz, Marie Aglion. CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST 105 (1876), we held public policy forbade self-styled Civil War suing obligations under agreement. Respondents here, spies, respondents services. Finding did suit, Appeals proceed. We reverse because contravenes longstanding announced century ago 2 Respondents, who fictitious names John Jane Western Washington.1 According respondents, they formerly citizens foreign country time considered enemy Doe high-ranking diplomat country. After expressed interest defecting agents persuaded posts conduct specified period time, promising "would arrange travel ensure personal security life." App. Pet. Cert. 122a. "carrying end bargain" completing years purportedly high-risk, valuable services, id., 123a, defected (under new false backgrounds) became citizens, help. designated "PL-110" status began providing security.2 3 help, respondent obtained employment State Washington. As his salary increased, decreased living stipend until, point, he agreed discontinuation benefits while working. Years later, 1997, laid off after corporate merger. Because unable find result restrictions type jobs hold, contacted assistance.3 Denied CIA, claim properly themselves. Thus, faced prospect returning home (where say face extreme sanctions), remaining present circumstances. 4 assert, among other things, violated procedural substantive rights failing fair internal They seek injunctive relief ordering resume monthly pending further agency review. request declaratory judgment stating failed constitutionally adequate process, detailing minimal must provide. Finally, mandamus order adopt procedures, give review, assistance. 5 moved complaint Federal Rules Procedure 12(b)(1) 12(b)(6), principally ground bars suit. dismissed objection, ruling 99 F. Supp. 2d 1284, 1289-1294 (WD Wash. 2000). discovery, renewed motion Apparently construing raising claim, motions, ruled again there genuine issues material fact warranting trial 85a-94a. certified interlocutory appeal stayed appeal. 79a-83a. 6 A divided panel affirmed part. 3d 1135 (2003). 3d, 1145-1155. Over dissent, petition rehearing en banc. 353 1141 (CA9 2004). granted certiorari.4 542 936 (2004). 7 administrator William Lloyd's estate recover compensation Lloyd allegedly rendered 105. entered into Lincoln July 1861 behind Confederate lines troop placement fort plans, paid $200 month. 105-106. lower court performed receive full compensation. 106. concluding "no difficulty," ibid., between secret, so: 8 "The service stipulated service; clandestinely, communicated privately; equally concealed. Both employer agent understood lips ever sealed respecting relation matter. This condition engagement implied nature employment, all employments government war, matters affecting our relations, disclosure compromise embarrass duties, endanger person injure character agent." Ibid. 9 thought it. 106-107. 10 think That court, first theories. fact, limited: "[P]ublic forbids maintenance any justice, inevitably lead law itself regards confidential." 107 (emphasis added); see ibid. ("The secrecy impose enforcement" added)). No matter clothing spies dress 11 Relying (1953), has involved Tort Claims Act, 28 § 1346, three died B-29 aircraft. S., 2-3. course plaintiffs certain investigation-related documents, said contained "`highly secret,'" information. 3-4. recognized "the revealing secrets, well established evidence," 6-7, set balancing approach courts apply ultimately entitled case. 10-12. 12 When indeed Totten. supra, 7, n. (citing 107). See Brief O. T. 1952, 21, pp. 36, 42 privilege). But Indeed, refutes suggestion: Citing "where action, perform espionage, secret," declared "dismissed pleadings without reaching question evidence, since obvious should never prevail over privilege." 26 added). 13 case, 146-147 (1981) "whether Navy complied [§ 102(2)(C) National Environmental Policy Act 1969, 83 Stat. 853, 4332(2)(C)] `to fullest extent possible' beyond scrutiny case," where, "[d]ue national reasons," "neither admit nor deny" central i. e., "that propose[d] store nuclear weapons" facility). 14 592 (1988), There, 102(c) Security 1947, 61 498, 50 403(c), exclude employee discrimination. 603. conclusion, noted "`serious question' arise if federal statute construed deny forum colorable claim." difference, purposes one spy. latter scenario revealed.5 why regularly entertains Title VII concerning hiring promotion Webster, 604, yet long respondents'. 15 There is, short, Appeals' view reduced example privilege. far closer this, "precedent direct application appears rest reasons rejected line decisions, follow directly controls, leaving prerogative overruling own decisions." Rodriguez de Quijas Shearson/American Express, Inc., 490 477, 484 (1989). 16 adhere frequent revealed, apply, unacceptable: "Even small chance will source's identity impair intelligence gathering sources `close up like clam.'" Sims, 471 159, 175 (1985). (or prevent filing) effort ongoing 17 18 ordered. Notes: neither confirmed allegations. describe facts asserted second amended complaint. 128a-136a. are, course, allegations confirms denies part program, parties agree reference 403h, provision enacted 1949, 8, 63 212 (renumbered 72 337). allows limited number aliens members immediate families per year admitted permanent residence, regardless admissibility immigration laws, determination General, Commissioner Immigration admission particular alien "is essential furtherance mission." 403h. nothing statute, anything redacted regulations related materials cite, 41-43; Opposition 41-50, represents enforceable legal commitment §403h. 145a (decl. McNair ¶ (Information Review Officer Directorate Operations) (stating, search policies, "can inform unequivocally areno US lifetime subsistence individuals PL-110" original))). document series contacts CIA. Seeid., 128a-136a (Second Amended Complaint). For instance, received letter June expressing regret longer funds available 128a. Later, told determined previously provided rendered." 129a. Although apparently disclose agency's appeals permitted initial both officials called Helms Panel; denied. 129a-132a. Preliminarily, address whetherSteel Co. Citizens Better Environment, 523 (1998), prevents us Steel Co., adhered requirement questions pertaining court's jurisdiction before proceeding merits. 94-95. courts, addition Tucker 1491(a)(1), required Claims, argument, certiorari. 2. assume argument kind jurisdictional issue directs resolved addressing merits Cf. Mitchell, 463 206, 212, 215 (1983) (holding effects waiver sovereign immunity" observing consent [to sued] prerequisite jurisdiction"). Nevertheless, dismissal, abstention doctrine Younger Harris, 401 37 (1971), prudential standing doctrine, sort "threshold question" jurisdiction. Ruhrgas AG Marathon Oil 526 574, 585 (1999) ("It hardly novel choose threshold grounds audience merits"); Kowalski Tesmer, 543 125, 129 (2004) (assuming Article III "address alternative whether" attorneys third-party standing); 100, (approving decision subject-matter jurisdiction). inconsistent unique — designed defeat preclude inquiry allow discovery resolve question. whether waive question, believed CIAwas just 1153 2003). true plaintiff proceeded pseudonym "his publicly acknowledged." 1987, 86-1294, 3, 1. kept mean known 19 whom GINSBURG joins, concurring. 20 oral agreement deceased unenforceable. situations served similar commitments less senior officers enforced procedures protect sensitive If Congress can modify common-law today's decision, I join, stare decisis provides sufficient justification merit. wisely decides absence requires answering arguably antecedent ante, 4; 83, 117-123 (1998) (STEVENS, judgment). 21 22 join do STEVENS's concurrence, painting vindication 112 resolution refers `threshold jurisdiction," 4, surely referring run-of-the-mill, nonthreshold exists. when describes inquiry," assuredly describing mere everyday action. applied today, one. 23 Of even not, given squarely applicable precedent clear frivolous establishing another majority acknowledges. 89.

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