Politics Desk 11 Feb , 2025 11:59 PM GMT
American Oversight sues DOGE for withholding records under FOIA.
DOGE head Elon Musk defends transparency efforts.
White House claims DOGE records are protected under Presidential Records Act.
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A watchdog group has taken legal action against the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in an effort to obtain records that they claim are being kept secret. The group, American Oversight, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington, DC, challenging the administration's argument that DOGE is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The lawsuit alleges that DOGE must process FOIA requests and operate with maximum transparency, despite claims to the contrary. Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, defended the department's actions during a recent media availability with President Donald Trump, stating that they are striving to be as transparent as possible by posting their actions on the DOGE handle and website.
However, a White House spokeswoman has indicated that DOGE is subject to Presidential Records, which are protected under the Presidential Records Act and cannot be released via FOIA for at least five years after the administration ends.
Since the beginning of President Trump's second term, Musk and his DOGE team have been implementing significant changes within federal agencies, including efforts to reduce government size, cut spending, and remove career officials they deem as obstacles. These actions have sparked legal scrutiny and judicial rebukes.
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