WASHINGTON (AP) — Key Democrats on the House Judiciary and Oversight committees have submitted a comprehensive Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to investigate whether the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency Service (DOGE) is acting “outside the bounds of federal law,” according to The Associated Press.
Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) are seeking extensive details regarding DOGE’s authority. This includes information on billionaire Trump advisor Elon Musk and approximately 40 other individuals, specifically concerning the dismissal of federal employees and the restructuring of government agencies.
The representatives are also requesting comprehensive information regarding DOGE’s access to sensitive data, its utilization of artificial intelligence, the qualifications and training of its personnel, and its communications related to Musk’s various ventures, such as SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla.
“The Administration and Mr. Musk have been operating secretively as they systematically dismantle the federal government,” the Democrats stated in a letter to DOGE administrator Amy Gleason, which accompanied the FOIA request obtained by the AP. “The American public has a right to know, and we are determined to use every available tool to uncover the truth about DOGE’s operations.”
They are requesting an expedited review of the request, seeking a response within 20 days.
This FOIA request represents the latest development in an escalating conflict between Congress and the executive branch, as President Donald Trump rapidly reduces the size of the federal government by eliminating thousands of jobs and dismantling numerous long-standing agencies and services.
The Oversight Committee Democrats have already submitted a formal request to the Republican president’s administration for information regarding Musk’s potential conflicts of interest, which is currently under consideration. Their attempt to subpoena Musk was blocked by committee Republicans, who hold the majority in Congress.
While anyone can typically file a FOIA request, the Democrats on these committees are using their available resources as the minority party to push for oversight of the Republican administration. This action could potentially lead to more stringent measures, including legal action.
In the FOIA request, Raskin and Connolly, who serve as ranking members on the committees, stated that the information is necessary “to address numerous unanswered questions and provide clarity to the public.”
They stated, “There are potential concerns regarding the government’s integrity related to DOGE’s operations, establishment, and activities, which form the basis of this request, as many of DOGE’s actions may be inconsistent with federal law.”
It remains uncertain whether the Trump administration will respond.
Trump and Musk have largely ignored the objections raised by Democrats—and some Republicans—in Congress as their teams proceed across the federal government. While Musk has promised transparency, the Democrats noted that he has held private meetings with Republican members of the House and Senate.
The Trump administration is eliminating employees, closing federal agencies, and otherwise disrupting operations, citing the need to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. Approximately 100 lawsuits have been filed, with judges both halting and permitting certain actions.
In their comprehensive request, the Democrats are seeking four primary categories of information related to DOGE’s activities: its access to sensitive data; the guidelines and decision-making processes related to the termination of federal employees; potential conflicts of interest involving its leadership; and its internal communications.
They are requesting the names, job titles, and qualifications of DOGE personnel who have “been granted access to personally identifiable or sensitive information” since January 20, inauguration day, including the reasons for their access.
Additionally, they are seeking details about the various computer programs, “including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs), your agency is using to store, process or analyze personally identifiable or sensitive information or data.”
The request encompasses all DOGE directives, guidelines, and analyses pertaining to the firing of federal employees, including inspectors general, and the dismantling of various government agencies, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Education, among others.
Democrats are also seeking information about DOGE’s authority to issue and implement these directives, as well as details regarding the funding of DOGE’s operations.
The FOIA request includes Musk, DOGE administrator Gleason, and approximately 40 other employees, seeking information regarding their resumes, salaries, any conflict of interest waivers, and any non-disclosure agreements associated with their employment.
The request also includes all communications from these employees, including text messages and communications via various messaging platforms.