Federal Judge Orders Elon Musk’s DOGE to Release Secret Records
A recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper has mandated that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and created by the Trump administration, must release internal records to the public. This decision comes after the government watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), sued DOGE for withholding information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Judge Cooper agreed that DOGE, despite being housed within the Executive Office of the President, exercises substantial independent authority and should be subject to FOIA.
The case stems from concerns over DOGE's "unusual secrecy" and its sweeping powers in reshaping federal agencies, including mass firings and controversial cuts. CREW’s request for transparency was initially denied by DOGE, which argued that the agency was not covered under FOIA. However, Cooper’s ruling emphasized that DOGE’s operations, including actions that had led to the elimination of government positions, necessitated public oversight.
In his decision, Cooper pointed out that DOGE’s secrecy and rapid pace of action—coupled with media reports about its influence—warranted urgent release of documents. He ordered that records be made available on a rolling basis, though he did not set a specific deadline for the full release. "Congress needs the requested information in a timely fashion to use it effectively," Cooper wrote, highlighting the role such transparency could play in informing both lawmakers and the public.
Elon Musk, while addressing the criticism, defended DOGE’s actions, suggesting that any opposition is without clear specifics and claiming high public support. "When people criticize what DOGE is doing, we say which part, specifically?" Musk remarked, pointing to public posts and polls as evidence of widespread approval. Despite this, he did not explain why DOGE had refused to comply with FOIA requests in the first place.
Judge Cooper’s ruling is seen as a significant victory for transparency advocates, as it challenges the administration’s attempt to shield DOGE’s operations from public scrutiny. The case is expected to set a precedent for future efforts to hold government agencies accountable, particularly those with far-reaching powers like DOGE.
