Judge orders DOGE to comply with FOIA requests============================================== A federal judge ruled that records from the U.S. DOGE Service likely fall under the Freedom of Information Act. krisanapong detraphiphat / Getty Images | Get the latest federal technology news delivered to your inbox.||
|| email | Register for Newsletter*** ** * ** ***Stay Connected [](https://x.com/NextgovFCW)[](https://www.facebook.com/NextgovFCW/)[](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgovfcw/)[](/rss/all/) Featured eBooks  [Identity in Government](/assets/identity/portal/) [Read Now](/assets/identity/portal/)  ### [Health Tech](/assets/health-tech-q424/portal/)[Read Now](/assets/health-tech-q424/portal/)  ### [Next-Generation Computing](/assets/next-generation-computing/portal/)[Read Now](/assets/next-generation-computing/portal/) Insights -& Reports  [White Paper: Zero Trust Architecture Starts with Modern ICAM](/assets/white-paper-zero-trust-architecture-starts-modern-.png?oref=ng-sidebar-insights-reports) [Presented By Ping Identity](/assets/white-paper-zero-trust-architecture-starts-modern-.png?oref=ng-sidebar-insights-reports) [Download Now](/assets/white-paper-zero-trust-architecture-starts-modern-.png?oref=ng-sidebar-insights-reports)  [From Legacy to Leading: Delivering Innovation Through Operational Efficiency](/assets/creating-experience-driven-government-every-consti/portal/?oref=ng-sidebar-insights-reports) [Presented By Adobe](/assets/creating-experience-driven-government-every-consti/portal/?oref=ng-sidebar-insights-reports) [Download Now](/assets/creating-experience-driven-government-every-consti/portal/?oref=ng-sidebar-insights-reports) By [Sean Michael Newhouse](/voices/sean-newhouse/26189/?oref=ng-post-author), Staff Reporter * [](https://x.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com%2Fpolicy%2F2025%2F03%2Fjudge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests%2F403671%2F&text=Judge+orders+DOGE+to+comply+with+FOIA+requests+&via=Nextgov)* [](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com%2Fpolicy%2F2025%2F03%2Fjudge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests%2F403671%2F&mini=true&summary=Trump+officials+have+argued+that+records+from+the+government+efficiency+initiative+fall+under+the+Presidential+Records+Act%2C+which+can+temporarily+shield+information+from+public+scrutiny.&source=Nextgov.com&title=Judge+orders+DOGE+to+comply+with+FOIA+requests+)* [](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?picture=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.nextgov.com%2Fmedia%2Fimg%2Fcd%2F2025%2F03%2F11%2F031125_Getty_GovExec_FOIA-1%2F860x394.jpg&name=Judge+orders+DOGE+to+comply+with+FOIA+requests+&app_id=622609557824468&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com%2Fpolicy%2F2025%2F03%2Fjudge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests%2F403671%2F&display=popup&description=Trump+officials+have+argued+that+records+from+the+government+efficiency+initiative+fall+under+the+Presidential+Records+Act%2C+which+can+temporarily+shield+information+from+public+scrutiny.)* [](mailto:?body=Trump%20officials%20have%20argued%20that%20records%20from%20the%20government%20efficiency%20initiative%20fall%20under%20the%20Presidential%20Records%20Act%2C%20which%20can%20temporarily%20shield%20information%20from%20public%20scrutiny.%0A%0Ahttps%3A//www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/03/judge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests/403671/&subject=Nextgov.com%3A%20Judge%20orders%20DOGE%20to%20comply%20with%20FOIA%20requests%20) By [Sean Michael Newhouse](/voices/sean-newhouse/26189/?oref=ng-post-author?oref=rf-post-author)-| March 12, 2025 08:00 AM ETTrump officials have argued that records from the government efficiency initiative fall under the Presidential Records Act, which can temporarily shield information from public scrutiny.——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————* [The First 100 Days](/topic/first-100-days/?oref=ng-article-topics)* [DOGE](/topic/doge/?oref=ng-article-topics)* [](https://x.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com%2Fpolicy%2F2025%2F03%2Fjudge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests%2F403671%2F&text=Judge+orders+DOGE+to+comply+with+FOIA+requests+&via=Nextgov)* [](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com%2Fpolicy%2F2025%2F03%2Fjudge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests%2F403671%2F&mini=true&summary=Trump+officials+have+argued+that+records+from+the+government+efficiency+initiative+fall+under+the+Presidential+Records+Act%2C+which+can+temporarily+shield+information+from+public+scrutiny.&source=Nextgov.com&title=Judge+orders+DOGE+to+comply+with+FOIA+requests+)* [](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?picture=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.nextgov.com%2Fmedia%2Fimg%2Fcd%2F2025%2F03%2F11%2F031125_Getty_GovExec_FOIA-1%2F860x394.jpg&name=Judge+orders+DOGE+to+comply+with+FOIA+requests+&app_id=622609557824468&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com%2Fpolicy%2F2025%2F03%2Fjudge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests%2F403671%2F&display=popup&description=Trump+officials+have+argued+that+records+from+the+government+efficiency+initiative+fall+under+the+Presidential+Records+Act%2C+which+can+temporarily+shield+information+from+public+scrutiny.)* [](mailto:?body=Trump%20officials%20have%20argued%20that%20records%20from%20the%20government%20efficiency%20initiative%20fall%20under%20the%20Presidential%20Records%20Act%2C%20which%20can%20temporarily%20shield%20information%20from%20public%20scrutiny.%0A%0Ahttps%3A//www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/03/judge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests/403671/&subject=Nextgov.com%3A%20Judge%20orders%20DOGE%20to%20comply%20with%20FOIA%20requests%20)A federal judge on Monday night ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency must comply with a good government group’s Freedom of Information Act requests, rebuffing the Trump administration’s assertions that records from the Elon Musk-backed initiative should be shielded from the public.U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama appointee, [ordered DOGE](https://www.citizensforethics.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Order.pdf), which is technically called the U.S. DOGE Service, to expedite processing of the FOIA request by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.The order also requires the Office of Management and Budget and USDS to provide an estimate of the volume of records that could be covered by CREW’s FOIA requests by March 20, the two entities to submit a proposed schedule for such expedited processing by March 27 and OMB and USDS to preserve all records that could be part of the document requests.’Now more than ever, Americans deserve transparency in their government. Despite efforts and claims to the contrary, the government cannot hide the actions of the U.S. DOGE Service,’ CREW Executive Director and Chief Counsel Donald Sherman [said in a statement](https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/press-releases/judge-rules-doge-likely-subject-to-foia-must-give-crew-documents/). ‘We look forward to the expedited processing of our requests and making all the DOGE documents public.’The Trump administration has argued that USDS records fall under the Presidential Records Act, which can restrict access to such information for up to 12 years after a president leaves office. FOIA, on the other hand, requires agencies to disclose requested information with limited exceptions.’DOGE is a component of the White House and not subject to FOIA, only PRA. The judge has a misunderstanding of how DOGE works, and we expect him to reverse the ruling once he correctly comprehends DOGE’s structure within the White House office,’ a White House official said in a statement to *Government Executive*.Cooper, however, determined that USDS likely operates as an agency subject to FOIA, pointing to its work to [slash federal jobs](https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/02/rif-watch-see-which-agencies-are-laying-federal-workers/403342/?oref=ge-topic-lander-river), [dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development](https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/02/judge-convinced-overseas-employees-safety-denies-injunction-against-usaid/403191/?oref=ge-topic-lander-river) and [cull contracts](https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/02/trump-administration-asks-agencies-cull-consultants/403355/?oref=ge-topic-lander-river).’-[T-]he Court can conclude that USDS likely has at least some independent authority to identify and terminate federal employees, federal programs and federal contracts,’ he wrote. ‘Doing any of those three things would appear to require substantial independent authority; to do all three surely does.'[Multiple other good government groups](https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2025/02/multiple-groups-file-lawsuits-get-doge-records/403343/?oref=ge-author-river) have sued for access to USDS records. **How are these changes affecting you? Share your experience with us:** **Eric Katz:** [ekatz@govexec.com](mailto:ekatz@govexec.com), Signal: erickatz.28 **Sean Michael Newhouse:** [snewhouse@govexec.com](mailto:snewhouse@govexec.com), Signal: seanthenewsboy.45 **Erich Wagner:** [ewagner@govexec.com](mailto:ewagner@govexec.com); Signal: ewagner.47 Share This:* [](https://x.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com%2Fpolicy%2F2025%2F03%2Fjudge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests%2F403671%2F&text=Judge+orders+DOGE+to+comply+with+FOIA+requests+&via=Nextgov)* [](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com%2Fpolicy%2F2025%2F03%2Fjudge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests%2F403671%2F&mini=true&summary=Trump+officials+have+argued+that+records+from+the+government+efficiency+initiative+fall+under+the+Presidential+Records+Act%2C+which+can+temporarily+shield+information+from+public+scrutiny.&source=Nextgov.com&title=Judge+orders+DOGE+to+comply+with+FOIA+requests+)* [](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?picture=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.nextgov.com%2Fmedia%2Fimg%2Fcd%2F2025%2F03%2F11%2F031125_Getty_GovExec_FOIA-1%2F860x394.jpg&name=Judge+orders+DOGE+to+comply+with+FOIA+requests+&app_id=622609557824468&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgov.com%2Fpolicy%2F2025%2F03%2Fjudge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests%2F403671%2F&display=popup&description=Trump+officials+have+argued+that+records+from+the+government+efficiency+initiative+fall+under+the+Presidential+Records+Act%2C+which+can+temporarily+shield+information+from+public+scrutiny.)* [](mailto:?body=Trump%20officials%20have%20argued%20that%20records%20from%20the%20government%20efficiency%20initiative%20fall%20under%20the%20Presidential%20Records%20Act%2C%20which%20can%20temporarily%20shield%20information%20from%20public%20scrutiny.%0A%0Ahttps%3A//www.nextgov.com/policy/2025/03/judge-orders-doge-comply-foia-requests/403671/&subject=Nextgov.com%3A%20Judge%20orders%20DOGE%20to%20comply%20with%20FOIA%20requests%20)**NEXT STORY:** [GSA reverses lease terminations for some GAO offices doing national security work](/policy/2025/03/gsa-reverses-lease-terminations-some-gao-offices-doing-national-security-work/403659/?oref=ng-next-story) | [Human operators must be held accountable for AI’s use in conflicts, Air Force secretary says](/artificial-intelligence/2023/12/human-operators-must-be-held-accountable-ais-use-conflicts-air-force-secretary-says/392457/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [Why NIST is prioritizing creating a dictionary of AI development](/artificial-intelligence/2023/12/why-nist-prioritizing-creating-dictionary-ai-development/392427/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [SSA restructures tech shop to center on the CIO](/modernization/2023/11/ssa-restructures-tech-shop-center-cio/392377/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [How a push to the cloud helped a Ukrainian bank keep faith with customers amid war](/modernization/2023/11/how-push-cloud-helped-ukrainian-bank-keep-faith-customers-amid-war/392375/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [The people problem behind the government’s AI ambitions](/artificial-intelligence/2023/11/people-problem-behind-governments-ai-ambitions/392212/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [sponsor content| Public Sector AI Governance with SAS](https://www.govexec.com/assets/public-sector-ai-governance-sas/portal/) | [Human operators must be held accountable for AI’s use in conflicts, Air Force secretary says](/artificial-intelligence/2023/12/human-operators-must-be-held-accountable-ais-use-conflicts-air-force-secretary-says/392457/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [Why NIST is prioritizing creating a dictionary of AI development](/artificial-intelligence/2023/12/why-nist-prioritizing-creating-dictionary-ai-development/392427/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [SSA restructures tech shop to center on the CIO](/modernization/2023/11/ssa-restructures-tech-shop-center-cio/392377/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [How a push to the cloud helped a Ukrainian bank keep faith with customers amid war](/modernization/2023/11/how-push-cloud-helped-ukrainian-bank-keep-faith-customers-amid-war/392375/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [The people problem behind the government’s AI ambitions](/artificial-intelligence/2023/11/people-problem-behind-governments-ai-ambitions/392212/?oref=ng-earthbox-post) | [sponsor content| | Public Sector AI Governance with SAS](https://www.govexec.com/assets/public-sector-ai-governance-sas/portal/)
Related Tags:
NAICS: 54 – Professional
Scientific
Technical Services
NAICS: 923 – Administration Of Human Resource Programs
NAICS: 519 – Web Search Portals
Libraries
Archives
Other Information Services
NAICS: 81 – Other Services (except Public Administration)
NAICS: 541 – Professional
Scientific
Technical Services
NAICS: 92 – Public Administration
NAICS: 51 – Information
NAICS: 813 – Religious
Grantmaking
Civic
Professional Services
Similar Services
Blog: NextGov
Associated Indicators:
snewhouse@govexec.com
ewagner@govexec.com