Democracy Forward Files Third Lawsuit Against Administration For Failing To Comply with Freedom Of Information Act 

Washington, D.C. — Today, Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Small Business Administration for failing to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and withholding critical records about the influence of Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) on federal decision making.

Democracy Forward submitted multiple FOIA requests seeking communications, directives, and policy documents related to DOGE’s activities within these agencies. Despite acknowledging receipt of the requests, the agencies failed to provide the legally required records.

“There is a growing and deeply troubling pattern of special interests exerting unchecked influence over federal decision making within the Trump administration,” said Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward. “The American people have a right to know how Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” is shaping policies that affect millions of Americans. Government agencies have an obligation to be transparent under the law, and we will hold them accountable.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, aims to uncover DOGE’s role in key federal policy decisions, including:

  • Federal financial systems: Changes in or manipulation of government payment and disbursement systems.
  • Education policy: Access to student loan data, grant and contract cancellations, and potential shifts in agency oversight.
  • Small Business Administration: Influence on personnel decisions, funding structures, and regulatory policies.

This lawsuit is part of Democracy Forward’s broader efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in government and prevent unlawful influence from non-elected private individuals over public institutions. It is the third FOIA lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward in this administration, building on a suit against the Office of Management and Budget to compel the release of documents related to the Trump-Vance administration’s sweeping and unlawful effort to freeze federal financial assistance; and another to compel the production of documents related to the administration’s dramatic and unprecedented actions to target federal employees.

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