Opinion
Civil Action 21-01909 (UNA)
08-04-2021
SHAUN RUSHING, Plaintiff, v. UNITED STATES SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
CARL J. NICHOLS, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
This matter is before the court on its initial review of Plaintiff's pro se complaint and application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Pro se litigants 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 complaints to contain “(1) a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court's jurisdiction [and] (2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a); see Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678-79 (2009); Ciralsky v. CIA, 355 F.3d 661, 668-71 (D.C. Cir. 2004). The Rule 8 standard ensures that defendants receive fair notice of the claim being asserted so that they can prepare a responsive answer and 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).
Plaintiff alleges that an unidentified employee of the Social Security Administration at its office in Sebring, Florida, has discriminated against him by giving paperwork about Plaintiff to another unidentified individual. As drafted, Plaintiff's pro se complaint fails to comply with the minimal pleading standard set forth in Rule 8(a). It fails to articulate a claim showing Plaintiffs entitlement to the $10 trillion award Plaintiff demands. The Court will thus 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.