Opinion
Civil Action 19-2645 (UNA)
08-13-2021
WILLIAM FEESBA, Plaintiff, v. BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, II, et al., Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
EMMET G. SULLIVAN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
The Court has reviewed plaintiff's complaint, keeping in mind that complaints filed by pro se litigants are held to less stringent standards than those applied to formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). Even pro se litigants, however, must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Jarrell v. Tisch, 656 F.Supp. 237, 239 (D.D.C. 1987). Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that a complaint contain a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the Court's jurisdiction depends, a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a). The purpose of the minimum standard of Rule 8 is to give fair notice to the defendants of the claims being asserted such that they can prepare a responsive answer, prepare an adequate defense, and determine whether the doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
As drafted, plaintiff's pro se complaint fails to comply with the minimal pleading standard set forth in Rule 8(a). Wholly absent from the complaint are any factual allegations. Rather, plaintiff lists defendants, among whom are past Presidents of the United States, and demands for billions of dollars. Without facts to support a viable legal claim, the Court will dismiss the complaint without prejudice and will grant the application to proceed in forma pauperis. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.