Supreme Court takes up DOGE records case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear the Trump administration's appeal to block Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington from obtaining Department of Government Efficiency records under the Freedom of Information Act.

What DOGE did in office

The Department of Government Efficiency, spearheaded by former administration adviser Elon Musk, played a key role in firing thousands of federal workers and canceling government funding, including dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development.

DOGE was controversial and triggered lawsuits

The Department of Government Efficiency was a controversial feature of Trump's early months in office, triggering various lawsuits. Its operations have since dwindled.

The central legal question

The key question is whether DOGE is technically a government agency and therefore subject to FOIA, which allows members of the public to seek internal documents.

Trump administration's position

The Trump administration argues that, despite its name, DOGE is merely a presidential advisory body not subject to public records requests under FOIA.

What the watchdog group seeks

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington wants information about DOGE guidance to its workers on canceling contracts and firing government workers, saying none concern White House communications.

Lower court ruled for disclosure

In March 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington ruled DOGE is likely covered by FOIA, saying the public would be irreparably harmed by indefinite delay in obtaining the records.

“the public would be irreparably harmed by an indefinite delay in unearthing the records CREW seeks”

Supreme Court ruling expected by June

The Supreme Court's ruling on whether DOGE must disclose records under FOIA is due by the end of June. Information requests remain on hold while the case plays out.