Insiders Advisor
  • Stocks
  • World News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Stocks
  • World News
  • Business
  • Politics

Insiders Advisor

Politics

Judge rules DOGE likely subject to public records requests, says department operating in ‘unusual secrecy’

by March 11, 2025
March 11, 2025
Judge rules DOGE likely subject to public records requests, says department operating in ‘unusual secrecy’

The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, is likely subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a federal judge ruled Monday, noting that the newly formed department had been run in ‘unusual secrecy.’

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama appointee, sided with the government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in rejecting the Trump administration’s argument that DOGE does not have to respond to public records requests.

The administration claimed that DOGE is an arm of the Executive Office of the President, making it not subject to FOIA requests, which allow the public to request access to records produced by government agencies that had not previously been disclosed.

Cooper ruled that DOGE exercises ‘substantial independent authority’ much greater than the other parts of the executive office that are usually exempt from the FOIA law.

The ruling could force DOGE to become more transparent about its role in the administration’s mass firings of the federal workforce, as well as its dismantling of government agencies and decisions to cancel contracts.

‘Canceling any government contract would seem to require substantial authority—and canceling them on this scale certainly does,’ Cooper wrote.

The judge said DOGE ‘appears to have the power not just to evaluate federal programs, but to drastically reshape and even eliminate them wholesale,’ which he said the department declined to refute.

Cooper also said its ‘operations thus far have been marked by unusual secrecy,’ citing reports about DOGE’s use of an outside server, its employees’ refusal to identify themselves to career officials and their use of the encrypted app Signal to communicate.

The watchdog filed the lawsuit on Feb. 20 after filing FOIA requests seeking further information on DOGE’s operations, including communications like internal government emails and memos.

The group had asked Cooper to order DOGE and the Office of Management and Budget to release the records by Monday, arguing that the public and Congress needed the information during the debate over government funding legislation that must be passed by Friday to avert a partial government shutdown, but the judge declined to set a Friday deadline to produce the records.

‘Unfortunately for CREW, it satisfies none of the factors entitling it to preliminary relief ordering production of its OMB requests by today’s date,’ Cooper wrote.

Instead, the judge ordered for the records to be produced on a ‘rolling basis as soon as practicable,’ saying voters and Congress deserve timely information on DOGE given the ‘unprecedented’ authority it was exercising to reshape the government.

This case is one of several lawsuits targeting the administration’s argument that DOGE is not subject to FOIA requests, but the other cases are still in earlier stages.

Reuters contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
previous post
Trump says he will buy a Tesla to support Elon Musk and his ‘baby’
next post
Ukraine launches biggest drone attack on Moscow, killing 2, as US talks begin

Related Posts

Trump says Ukraine’s Zelenskyy is ready to negotiate...

January 24, 2025

Hegseth interrupted by multiple protesters during Senate confirmation...

January 14, 2025

DOJ brass vowed full transparency on Epstein before...

July 13, 2025

Trump tariff plan faces uncertain future as court...

May 31, 2025

Israel begins strikes against Lebanon targeting Hezbollah financial...

October 20, 2024

State Department approves sale of $1.4B worth of...

May 14, 2025

Elon Musk no longer working on DOGE efforts...

April 30, 2025

Russia bombards Ukraine with drones hours after Trump...

May 19, 2025

Trump faces off against GOP establishment as he...

March 16, 2024

Biden pardons late Black activist Marcus Garvey, 4...

January 19, 2025

    Become a VIP member by signing up for our newsletter. Enjoy exclusive content, early access to sales, and special offers just for you! As a VIP, you'll receive personalized updates, loyalty rewards, and invitations to private events. Elevate your experience and join our exclusive community today!


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest News

    • Cambodia to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize for role in ending country’s conflict with Thailand

      August 2, 2025
    • WATCH: Trump says he is hopeful Hillary Clinton will be investigated for election fraud

      August 1, 2025
    • Trump moves nuclear submarines weeks after praising sub’s power in Iran strikes

      August 1, 2025
    • Recess on ice as Republicans hunker down for high-stakes nominee blitz

      August 1, 2025
    • Iran says it has ‘plenty of scientists’ left to restart uranium enrichment, despite US, Israeli strikes

      August 1, 2025
    • Trump repositions 2 nuclear submarines after ‘highly provocative’ Russian comments

      August 1, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,330)
    • Politics (6,636)
    • Stocks (904)
    • World News (461)
    • About us
    • Contacts
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: insidersadvisor.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 insidersadvisor.com | All Rights Reserved