Democracy Forward Seeks Public Records on OMB’s Role in Halting Federal Financial Assistance, Essential Services for Communities Across America

Washington, DC — Today, Democracy Forward filed suit against the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to compel the release of documents related to the Trump-Vance administration’s sweeping and unlawful effort to freeze federal financial assistance. The lawsuit seeks transparency on how the administration made its decision to abruptly pause critical federal funding, including grants, loans, and contracts that are essential for services for Americans across the nation; what legal justification—if any—it relied upon; and who was involved in implementing this reckless policy.

This lawsuit is Democracy Forward’s second suit filed pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) this week. It is part of our broader effort to hold the administration accountable to the American people for its attempts to evade scrutiny as it seeks to dismantle public programs.

“People and communities across the country were thrust into chaos and fear as essential services from Head Start to Meals on Wheels to health care services were threatened by the administration’s announcement of a federal funding freeze. Now, the administration is hiding from the American people information regarding their decision to implement that freeze,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “The American people have a right to know how their government is making the decisions that impact their lives. As Democracy Forward continues to challenge this administration’s illegal actions, we will use the legal tools available to us to ensure that the disclosure and transparency required by law is demanded of our government.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, follows a series of FOIA requests submitted by Democracy Forward shortly after OMB issued Memorandum M-25-13, which directed agencies to pause or freeze nearly all federal financial assistance. The administration has failed to release documents responsive to these requests, violating federal law and stonewalling the American people.

Democracy Forward’s lawsuit seeks records that would shed light on:

• OMB’s impact and legal analyses (if any) of the financial assistance freeze before it was announced.
• Key communications of OMB leadership, including interactions with external actors and political figures outside the federal government.
• Directives or guidance from the White House, the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), and other administration officials regarding the implementation of the funding freeze.
• Records identifying individuals involved in shaping and executing these policies, including political appointees and transition team members.

Earlier this week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a preliminary injunction of OMB’s freeze on federal grant disbursements, in response to a suit filed by Democracy Forward on behalf of the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance, and SAGE. 

For more information, visit www.democracyforward.org.

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