The Arbitrary And Capricious Standard Under The Apa

THIS CASEBOOK contains a selection of U. S. Court of Appeals decisions that discuss, analyze and interpret the arbitrary and capricious standard under the Administrative Procedure Act. The selection of decisions spans from 2014 to the date of publication.Under the APA, an agency action, finding, or conclusion can be set aside where it is "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law" or is "unsupported by substantial evidence." 5 U.S.C. � 706(2)(A), (E). This standard is "exceedingly deferential." Defs. of Wildlife v. U.S. Dep't of Navy, 733 F.3d 1106, 1115 (11th Cir. 2013) (quoting Fund for Animals, Inc. v. Rice, 85 F.3d 535, 541(11th Cir. 1996)). Mendoza v. Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, (11th Cir. 2017)To determine whether the agency's action was arbitrary and capricious, we examine whether the agency came to a rational conclusion and do not substitute our own judgment for that of the agency. Id. We set aside an agency action as arbitrary and capricious only where (1) the agency "relied on factors which Congress has not intended it to consider," (2) the agency "failed to consider an important aspect of the problem," (3) the agency explained its decision in a way "that runs counter to the evidence," or (4) the action "is so implausible that it could not be ascribed to a difference in view or the product of agency expertise." Id. (quoting Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Fla. v. United States, 566 F.3d 1257, 1264 (11th Cir. 2009)).