{"id":2412464,"date":"2025-03-11T13:12:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T17:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-doge-works-in-unusual-secrecy-must-comply-with-foia-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-03-11T13:13:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T17:13:45","slug":"judge-doge-works-in-unusual-secrecy-must-comply-with-foia-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-doge-works-in-unusual-secrecy-must-comply-with-foia-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge: DOGE works in \u2018unusual secrecy,&#8217; must comply with FOIA &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjudge-doge-works-in-unusual-secrecy-must-comply-with-foia-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2412464&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A judge has determined that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established under president Trump, is likely subject to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-justice-dept-fights-order-to-release-trump-russia-probe-memo\/\" title=\"Biden&#039;s Justice Dept. Fights Order to Release ...-Russia Probe Memo\">public records laws<\/a> and must respond promptly to records requests from the watchdog group \u200dCitizens for Obligation and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Judge Christopher cooper ruled that DOGE has unprecedented\u200d authority that qualifies it as \u200dan agency under the\u2064 Freedom of Facts\u2064 Act (FOIA). This conclusion was based on DOGE&#8217;s involvement\u200c in significant government changes, including mass firings and the\u200c elimination of\u2063 contracts. The judge voiced concerns about DOGE operating in &#8220;unusual secrecy&#8221; and emphasized the need for transparency thru compliance with FOIA requests. Cooper has requested an update on DOGE&#8217;s compliance by March 20, noting that while Justice Department attorneys have claimed DOGE is not subject to FOIA, they have yet to substantiate this argument.The case raises issues \u2064around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/big-banks-face-1-billion-in-fines-over-whatsapp-other-unapproved-message-tools-says-report\/\" title=\"Big Banks Face  Billion in Fines Over WhatsApp, Other Unapproved Message Tools, Says Report\">record-keeping practices<\/a>, as there are allegations that DOGE employees might potentially be using encrypted messaging \u2063apps and external servers to communicate and store information, potentially\u200c compromising transparency obligations.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Judge finds DOGE works in &lsquo;unusual secrecy&rsquo; and must comply with records requests<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2028741\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A judge found that President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Donald Trump\">Donald Trump<\/a>&rsquo;s Department of Government Efficiency is &ldquo;likely&rdquo; subject to public records laws and ordered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-government-efficiency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">DOGE<\/a> to respond quickly to a watchdog group&rsquo;s information <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3341504\/judge-doge-save-records-transparency-lawsuit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">requests<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Judge Christopher Cooper said in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/docket\/69658871\/18\/citizens-for-responsibility-and-ethics-in-washington-v-us-doge-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">order<\/a> Monday night that DOGE&rsquo;s &ldquo;unprecedented&rdquo; authority meant it easily fit the definition of an agency under the Freedom of Information Act. The judge based his finding in part on DOGE spearheading mass resignations and firings, cutting hundreds of millions of dollars worth of government contracts, and dismantling an entire agency.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3342423\/fbi-hands-over-subpoenaed-documents-christopher-wray-withheld\/\">FBI hands over subpoenaed documents that Republicans say Christopher Wray withheld<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3340894\/trump-doj-reverse-biden-era-legal-activity\/\">DOJ makes early plays to reverse Biden-era legal activity<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3341517\/missouri-24-billion-judgment-china-covid\/\">Missouri wins $24 billion judgment against China for &#8216;unleashing COVID-19 on the world&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Cooper said DOGE also operated in &ldquo;unusual secrecy,&rdquo; leading the judge to conclude that complying expeditiously with the FOIA request from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the watchdog group that sued DOGE, was critical.<\/p>\n<p>Cooper, a former President Barack Obama appointee, asked for a status update on DOGE&rsquo;s compliance with his order by March 20.<\/p>\n<p>His order comes after CREW sent DOGE wide-ranging FOIA requests seeking its organizational information, conflicts of interest and ethics waivers, and communications between DOGE and other agencies.<\/p>\n<p>The judge&rsquo;s order was an early-stage injunction. While Justice Department attorneys have argued DOGE is not subject to FOIA, they have not explained why, saying they will reserve their arguments for the phase of the lawsuit that examines the merits of the case.<\/p>\n<p>Trump established DOGE as part of the Executive Office of the President to address wasteful spending, and the president laid out DOGE&rsquo;s missions in two executive orders. The judge said that while the orders did not explicitly spell out that DOGE would exercise massive power, media reports and outside statements made by Trump and DOGE&rsquo;s informal leader, Elon Musk, have made DOGE&rsquo;s unique level of authority clear.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Mr. Musk claimed credit for placing large numbers of [U.S. Agency for International Development] employees on administrative leave in February, revelling that &lsquo;We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper,&rsquo;&rdquo; Cooper said as an example, citing an X post by Musk.<\/p>\n<p>The judge said Trump &ldquo;trumpeted&rdquo; that DOGE would have the ability &ldquo;to dismantle Government Bureaucracy.&rdquo; He gave numerous examples of the White House and Musk boasting about DOGE&rsquo;s consequential activity.<\/p>\n<p>Cooper also addressed concerns from CREW that DOGE employees were using an outside server to store employees&rsquo; information and communicating on Signal, an encrypted messaging app that can self-delete communication.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This evidence gives rise to the possibility that representatives of the Defendant entities may not fully appreciate their obligations to preserve federal records,&rdquo; Cooper wrote. &ldquo;This is especially true for [DOGE], many of whose staffers are reported to have joined the federal government only recently and, to put it charitably, may not be steeped in its document retention policies.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3341504\/judge-doge-save-records-transparency-lawsuit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">JUDGE DIRECTS DOGE TO SAVE RECORDS AMID TRANSPARENCY LAWSUIT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>DOJ attorneys <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3341504\/judge-doge-save-records-transparency-lawsuit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">did not<\/a> refute media reports about its Signal use or other surreptitious activities in a hearing last week. Still, they argued that CREW&rsquo;s FOIA requests were among hundreds and did not deserve special treatment. CREW argued that the requested information by Monday this week was needed to inform Congress and the public in light of the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">looming government shutdown date<\/a> of March 14.<\/p>\n<p>The judge was unconvinced that CREW needed the information that quickly. He said DOGE&rsquo;s records were not &ldquo;so central&rdquo; to the funding fight that they were needed to inform Congress&rsquo;s appropriations process before the shutdown deadline, which CREW conceded was &ldquo;likely&rdquo; to be pushed off with a continuing resolution bill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2028741\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2028741\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge rules DOGE operates in &#8216;unusual secrecy&#8217; and must fulfill records requests<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":2412465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Elon-Musk-Special-Government-Employee-ethics.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[23466,9507,12404],"class_list":["post-2412464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-doge","tag-foia","tag-transparency"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Elon-Musk-Special-Government-Employee-ethics.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2412464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2412464"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2412464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2412468,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2412464\/revisions\/2412468"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2412465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2412464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2412464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2412464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}