The executive branch makes decisions every day that impact the lives of everyday Americans. How it makes those decisions — and who influences them — must be public information if we want to keep the government working for the people, by the people.
That’s why Campaign Legal Center (CLC) requested records about the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) created by President Trump, to get answers as to the influence and role that this entity, run by the world’s richest person, will have in the executive branch.
We are seeking information about how DOGE is structured and will operate. We need this transparency to find out whether DOGE is being used as a vehicle to secretively advance wealthy special interests in governmental decisions.
Since President Trump announced the creation of DOGE in November, CLC has been concerned that DOGE will provide a way for wealthy special interests to unfairly influence the federal government with little oversight or accountability.
Trump named Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, another billionaire, to co-head the organization.
While Ramaswamy has since departed from the venture, Musk may stand to greatly advance his personal business interests if allowed to advise on cost-cutting, regulations or government contracting.
Our concerns about DOGE are only heightened since Inauguration Day, when President Trump signed an executive order formally establishing DOGE.
The order renamed the U.S. Digital Service the “U.S. DOGE Service” and created a new temporary organization in that agency, and it also called for the creation of “DOGE Teams” in every federal agency. The order also granted DOGE sweeping access to government information.
Little more is known about the entity and its mandate. The order directs the temporary organization to “advance the President’s 18-month DOGE agenda,” but doesn’t provide any more detail about what that agenda is.
And while DOGE has reportedly met with agencies — and did so even before Trump took office — the substance of those meetings or DOGE’s role in working with existing agencies is unclear.
Without this transparency, we have no idea if DOGE is serving the public interest or the personal financial interest of Musk or others.
Musk clearly stands to gain personal wealth from holding influence over the government’s approach to the federal budget and regulations. He has many business interests intertwined with federal policy — from the hefty government contracts with his SpaceX rockets to the regulation of his growing electric vehicle company.
President Trump claimed that DOGE will “slash” regulations, cut spending, and “restructure Federal Agencies.” The potential gains for Musk from having such power are obvious.
The public deserves answers to these critical questions about DOGE’s role and structure. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lets all Americans ask for records about what the government is doing.
So, the day after President Trump signed his executive order, we demanded information.
CLC sent FOIA requests to the “U.S. DOGE Service” and 28 more federal agencies, demanding information about DOGE. We’re seeking information about DOGE’s activities, as well as any records agencies have about how DOGE works and communications with Elon Musk and other people said to be involved with DOGE.
FOIA is designed to increase government transparency. Using FOIA, CLC seeks to shed light on any outside influence that may impact how our executive branch chooses to shape policy.
Given the risk that DOGE grants Elon Musk — or any other wealthy special interest — privileged influence that undermines the rule of law, CLC stands ready to hold the organization accountable.