Investigations will test stated assertions of “maximum transparency”
Washington, DC – Today, Democracy Forward announced that it has launched a series of federal and state public records investigations to uncover information the public has the right to know about the Trump-Vance administration’s “shock and awe” approach to Day 1 and the widely reported irregular and chaotic Transition Team activities that, according to public reports, could have implications for our national security.
Public reporting has indicated that the Trump-Vance transition team delayed or refused to sign critical agreements regarding resources, ethics, and information sharing; has reportedly relied on private email systems; and for nearly a month bypassed FBI background checks for future administration officials, instead relying on private companies to vet future officials. Meanwhile, press reporting indicates that the incoming administration plans to impose sweeping executive orders starting on day 1 – with a heavy focus on extreme, hardline immigration policy, that far-right state leaders such as Florida’s Ron DeSantis stand ready to help implement immediately.
“The incoming Trump-Vance administration has pledged ‘maximum transparency,’ yet their record to date has been irregular, chaotic, and secretive,” said Democracy Forward President & CEO Skye Perryman. “Should the Trump-Vance not uphold its commitment to transparency — and comply with the law — we will meet it in court.”
Democracy Forward has launched the following investigations requesting documents that federal and state governments are required by law to provide, including:
- How agency transition teams handled incoming, potentially irregular, requests by the incoming administration’s transition team (including those laying the potential groundwork for any attacks on the non-partisan civil service);
- Concerns lodged by current non-partisan civil servants regarding how the transition is being handled;
- Coordination of right-wing agency commissioners during the transition period – including of Project 2025 authors and other former Trump appointees;
- Activities of far-right state governments preparing to aid Trump’s hardline and extreme Day 1 agenda; and
- The activities of the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), which has not been established by Congress and is not operating consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Prominent figures associated with the incoming administration–including DOGE co-lead Elon Musk himself–have pledged “maximum transparency” regarding the department’s actions. Democracy Forward is prepared to sue the government should it refuse to comply with these requests in a timely fashion.
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