On Monday, January 12, 2026, the Miami Herald reported that Miami Dade College is attempting to disqualify a judge from further involvement in a public transparency lawsuit concerning the college’s decision to allocate prime downtown land for the Donald Trump presidential library. The college’s move targets Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz, who previously ruled in the college’s favor by lifting her initial block on the land transfer.
The legal challenge was initiated by historian and activist Marvin Dunn in October, alleging that the College Board of Trustees violated Florida’s public transparency laws. Dunn claimed the board skirted these laws when they voted to cede the Biscayne Boulevard property following a brief September meeting, which lacked public comment, debate, or detailed discussion of the project plans. Judge Ruiz initially sided with Dunn, temporarily halting the land transfer.
However, the college subsequently held a new, publicly noticed vote in December, which included hours of public feedback. The board again voted to transfer the land to a state board, which intends to pass it on to Trump’s presidential library foundation. Following this second vote, Judge Ruiz reversed her decision and dismissed the case.
Despite the dismissal, a dispute remains between the college and Dunn’s legal team over whether the dismissal should be “with prejudice” or “without prejudice.” This legal distinction is critical, as it dictates the ease with which Dunn can pursue the case further. Dunn’s attorney, Andres Rivero, explained that a dismissal with prejudice would necessitate an appeal to a higher court. A dismissal without prejudice, which Dunn is seeking, would allow him to amend his initial complaint and potentially continue the legal battle in Circuit Court.
Dunn hopes to leverage the latter option to initiate a discovery process aimed at uncovering the details surrounding the college’s decision-making process before the initial vote. He aims to understand how the land deal was conceived, even if it doesn’t ultimately prevent the presidential library project from proceeding.
The college contends that it was not obligated under Florida’s Sunshine Law to disclose the specifics of the meeting agenda, only the fact that a meeting would occur. This interpretation, supported by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, has been criticized by open government advocates who fear it could establish a detrimental precedent for public access to government proceedings.
Trump’s library foundation plans to construct a high-rise on the property and has informed the IRS of its intention to raise nearly a billion dollars for the project while Trump is still in office. Real estate experts have described the property as highly desirable for development.
Notably, Miami Dade College has considered development proposals for the downtown land, currently a parking lot, on two previous occasions. During negotiations in 2016, the college sought a cultural center, $20 million in cash, and a share of condo sales before the deal ultimately collapsed. In the current arrangement, neither the college nor Trump’s presidential library foundation has disclosed any specific provisions or benefits for the college in exchange for the land.
Source: Miami Herald
