# Supreme Court to hear Trump bid to shield DOGE records

> The justices will decide whether the Department of Government Efficiency must hand over documents under freedom of information law.
- Title: Supreme Court to hear Trump bid to shield DOGE records
- Summary: The justices will decide whether the Department of Government Efficiency must hand over documents under freedom of information law. The Supreme Court agreed…
- Keywords: supreme court, trump administration, department of government efficiency, doge, freedom of information act, citizens for responsibility and ethics i, elon musk, foia, politics, news, Supreme, Court
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-to-weigh-doge-document-dispute-crew-rcna601585
- Author: Lawrence Hurley
- Published: 2026-10-13T13:44:29.39+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: supreme court, trump administration, department of government efficiency, doge, freedom of information act, citizens for responsibility and ethics i, elon musk, foia, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the Trump administration's appeal to block a watchdog group from obtaining Department of Government Efficiency records under the Freedom of Information Act, with a ruling due by the end of June.