Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is facing increasing legal and political pressure to become more transparent about its activities. A lawsuit filed Thursday by the Center for Biological Diversity accuses DOGE of violating federal transparency laws, while a judicial order has ruled that key DOGE officials must testify under oath.
Despite Musk’s claims that DOGE aims for “maximum transparency”, critics argue that the agency operates in secrecy, using encrypted messaging apps and delaying the release of public records.
Lawsuit Demands DOGE Follow Federal Transparency Laws
Key Allegations from the Lawsuit:
- DOGE is not complying with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which mandates that government records be publicly accessible.
- The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has failed to respond to information requests about DOGE’s operations.
- DOGE’s rapid efforts to cut government funding and staff could have environmental consequences, making transparency urgent.
Why Is the Center for Biological Diversity Suing?
The lawsuit argues that DOGE’s actions could undermine federal environmental protections, including those for:
- Air and water quality
- Wildlife and nature
- Climate policies
- Public lands
Lawsuit Statement:
“FOIA was designed to ensure that monumental and consequential undertakings such as this could not take place without transparency. Yet that is what is occurring as Defendants engage in wholesale disregard for FOIA’s pro-disclosure mandate.”
DOGE and OMB have not responded to media inquiries about the lawsuit.
Judge Orders DOGE Officials to Testify Under Oath
New Judicial Ruling:
- A judge ruled Thursday that four DOGE officials must testify under oath.
- They will be required to answer questions about DOGE’s activities and data access.
- This ruling comes as part of ongoing legal and congressional efforts to obtain more information about DOGE’s inner workings.
DOGE’s History of Secrecy:
- DOGE was created by an executive order from President Donald Trump on January 20.
- The White House did not reveal the name of DOGE’s acting administrator, Amy Gleason, until Tuesday—more than a month later.
- DOGE staff have reportedly used the encrypted messaging app Signal, which automatically deletes messages, raising concerns about intentional records destruction.
New York Times Report:
- On Jan. 12, The New York Times reported that DOGE staff coordinated ahead of Trump’s inauguration using Signal, making it difficult to track discussions.
Republican Lawmakers Join Calls for Transparency
Key Political Pressure Points:
- Republican lawmakers met with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Wednesday to demand more transparency from DOGE.
- Critics argue that DOGE’s lack of public records and secretive communication methods go against Musk’s “maximum transparency” claims.
- With over 20 lawsuits filed against DOGE, legal challenges continue to mount.
Concerns Over Records Destruction:
“DOGE workers have reportedly used Signal, allowing messages to be automatically deleted. This raises serious questions about government accountability.”
