A federal judge ruled Monday that President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) must comply with federal open-records laws. He also expressed serious concerns about the office’s record-keeping practices, issuing a preservation order to ensure compliance. This decision represents a significant blow to the controversial office, officially called the U.S. DOGE Service (USDS), which has been accused of operating in secrecy while wielding broad executive power.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought by the Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Judge Christopher Cooper stated the USDS must begin releasing records requested by CREW under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). According to Cooper, the office’s activities are a matter of urgent concern, as it appears to not only evaluate federal programs but also reshape or even eliminate them entirely.
The Trump administration argued that DOGE served only as an advisory body to the president and therefore should be exempt from FOIA. However, Judge Cooper dismissed this claim, saying the evidence contradicts the assertion. He found the USDS acts as an independent agency with significant authority, meaning it must comply with FOIA regulations.
In his ruling, Cooper wrote, “Based on its actions so far, USDS appears to have the power not just to evaluate federal programs but to drastically reshape and even eliminate them wholesale.” For this reason, he determined DOGE “likely qualifies as an agency” under FOIA, requiring transparency and accountability.
The judge didn’t stop at ordering the release of documents. He also voiced concerns about whether DOGE is properly maintaining its records, as required by law. Cooper took issue with reports indicating that many USDS staffers are new to the federal government and may be unfamiliar with document retention policies. He described the situation as particularly alarming given the office’s substantial influence over federal programs.
Judge Cooper, an Obama appointee, remarked, “This is especially true for USDS, 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.”
The court ordered DOGE to expedite CREW’s records request, signaling an effort to hold the office accountable for its actions. This move raises questions about how the Trump administration will respond and whether USDS will comply with the ruling.
The decision is likely to fuel criticism from those who already view DOGE as a symbol of government overreach. At the same time, supporters of President Donald Trump’s efforts to streamline government may argue that the ruling will create unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
This case highlights the ongoing debate over transparency and executive authority. Do you believe the ruling is a necessary step toward accountability, or will it hinder efforts to reform federal programs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
