Parallel Investigations Initiative: Amplifying Congressional Oversight

American Oversight is filing FOIAs and lawsuits that mirror the document requests sent by the chairs and ranking members of key congressional committees. With the Trump administration vowing to "fight all the subpoenas" and resisting Congressional oversight at every turn, we're using public records laws and the power of the courts to make sure that federal agencies can't thwart transparency.

EN ESPAÑOL

American Oversight’s Parallel Investigations Initiative is an ongoing project to ensure that the Trump administration can’t thwart accountability. Congress is conducting investigations into misconduct across the administration, but President Trump has vowed to “fight all the subpoenas” — and his administration is resisting congressional oversight at every turn.

Beginning in late October 2018, we have been filing lawsuits demanding the release of documents that are also the subjects of congressional investigations, including Trump’s interference in the redevelopment of the FBI headquarters building, the botched response to the hurricanes that struck Puerto Rico, and the involvement of Mar-a-Lago members in setting policy at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Those lawsuits, along with many of the parallel FOIA requests we have filed, are posted below.

You can read more about American Oversight’s Parallel Investigations Initiative here.

Updates

American Oversight’s 2019 in Review: Nine Important Stories We Uncovered

December 27, 2019
From Rudy Giuliani to Stephen Miller, and from threats to democracy in the states to corruption in Trump's cabinet, here's where the paper trail took us in 2019.

Using FOIA to Fight Trump Administration Obstruction

September 27, 2019
We obtained documents that show the coziness between political appointees and the fossil fuel industry — and provide an example of the administration's failure to cooperate fully with congressional oversight requests.

Documents Highlight FEMA’s Failed Efforts to Track and Inspect Meals Sent to Puerto Rico

May 6, 2019
American Oversight obtained records related to the contractor that only provided 50,000 out of the 30 million meals it was supposed to deliver to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

The Dangers of Constitutional Hardball

April 29, 2019
The Trump administration’s actions over the past week and a half suggest that it may have decided to adopt a strategy of across-the-board stonewalling, violating a half-century of norms.

White House Defies Congressional Subpoena — Without Asserting Executive Privilege

April 23, 2019
The White House ordered the personnel security director not to appear before Congress, without asserting any kind of executive privilege to account for its defiance of Congress’ constitutional prerogatives.

News Roundup: DeVos, Mnuchin, Barr Testify in Congress

April 12, 2019
This week was packed with high-profile hearings on Capitol Hill, with some contentious results.

News Roundup: Turning to the Courts

April 5, 2019
The Trump administration has proved uniquely uncooperative with Congress’ requests. This week, House committees exercised their subpoena power.

The Trump Administration’s Disrespect for Constitutional Checks and Balances Earns It Congressional Subpoenas

April 3, 2019
The administration's uncooperative position is not only questionable — it stands in the way of Congress' important constitutional functions.

What Congressional Subpoena Power Means for Oversight

April 3, 2019
Three months after they took control of the House, new committee chairs are finally exercising their subpoena power.

News Roundup: The First Real Confrontation Between the Trump Administration and Congressional Oversight

February 8, 2019
The struggle between House Democrats and Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker over his appearance before the Judiciary Committee finally culminated in his first oversight hearing.

Congressional Oversight 2019: Calendar of Committee Hearings

February 1, 2019
Here are some upcoming congressional hearings along with information about American Oversight’s concurrent investigations.

News Roundup: More Troops at the Border Means More Questions for the Administration

February 1, 2019
The day after a congressional hearing about military presence at the southern border, the Pentagon announced it will be deploying another 2,000 troops.

News Roundup: Shutdown Ends Before Hearings Begin

January 25, 2019
As the country’s longest government shutdown finally comes to a (perhaps temporary) end, preparations for congressional hearings continue to move forward.

Republicans’ Threats to Boycott Congressional Investigation Jeopardize Their Own Credibility — Not the Investigation’s

January 19, 2019
Oversight’s return with the new Congress is one of the most important developments of 2019, but House Republicans are already threatening to abdicate their share of the responsibility.

Investigating Trump’s Failed Response to Hurricanes in Puerto Rico

January 17, 2019
“If the Trump administration were deliberately choking off relief funds to Puerto Rico, there’s going to be a paper trail, and we’re going to expose the truth.”

Acting AG Whitaker Can’t Avoid Congress Much Longer

January 10, 2019
Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler sent a letter to Acting AG Matthew Whitaker telling him he must testify before the committee by January 29 — or face a subpoena.

News Roundup: New Year, New Congress, More Oversight

January 4, 2019
The new House majority is poised to aggressively investigate all the administration’s scandals that have piled up over the past two years.

Amplifying Oversight in 2019 — Starting Today

January 3, 2019
The new Congress is sworn in today, and American Oversight is ready.

Countdown to Oversight in 2019

December 27, 2018
A look back at what American Oversight uncovered in 2018, and what 2019 could bring

American Oversight Sues Education Department for Borrower Defense Records

November 9, 2018
American Oversight today sued the Department of Education (ED) to shed light on the agency’s decision to cut back on debt relief for defrauded student borrowers. This is the watchdog’s tenth suit in its Parallel Investigations Initiative, targeting documents that are also likely to be the subject of congressional investigations.

American Oversight Sues State Department for Trump Organization, Kushner Companies Records

November 8, 2018
American Oversight today filed a lawsuit against the Department of State to determine whether President Trump’s business interests have influenced agency policy. The president and his family, who have refused to divest from their businesses, have financial interests in more than 20 countries.

American Oversight Sues State Department for Evidence of Alleged Political Loyalty Tests

November 7, 2018
American Oversight today sued the Department of State to uncover evidence of alleged political retaliation. This is the watchdog’s fourth suit in its Parallel Investigations Initiative, which aims to amplify congressional oversight by targeting records that will likely also be sought in committee investigations after the House of Representatives changes hands.

Accountability Starts Now

November 7, 2018
With control of the House of Representatives changing hands, the checks and balances we all learned about in school are back. If the Trump administration tries to obstruct congressional oversight, we'll go to court to force the release of documents.  

New Lawsuit Seeks Details of White House, Trump Organization Involvement in FBI Headquarters Decision

October 23, 2018
American Oversight today filed a suite of lawsuits to uncover the role that President Trump and the Trump Organization played in reversing a long-time plan to relocate the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters outside of Washington, DC. In its current location at the J. Edgar Hoover building, FBI headquarters sits a block away from the Trump International Hotel.

Parallel Investigations Initiative FOIAs: Industry Influence, Denial of Reproductive Rights, and the Administration’s Family Separation Policy

October 9, 2018
As part of our Parallel Investigations Initiative, we’ve filed FOIA requests that mirror oversight letters sent by both the chairs and ranking members of committees in the House and Senate.

Watchdog Demands Records on Rudy Giuliani’s Past Consulting for OxyContin Manufacturer

August 24, 2018
American Oversight today demanded the release of records to uncover the role that Rudy Giuliani may have played in quashing federal investigations into Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of the powerful prescription opioid OxyContin. In the early 2000s, Purdue worked with Giuliani’s consulting firm while Giuliani served as a consultant to the Justice Department (DOJ) on opioid issues and fundraised for a museum honoring the Drug Enforcement Administration

American Oversight Launches Parallel Investigations Initiative

April 26, 2018
American Oversight is launching the Parallel Investigations Initiative to lay the groundwork for a potential surge in congressional oversight activity. We have begun proactively tracking oversight requests made by both the chairs and ranking members of key congressional committees and, in many cases, we’ve already submitted parallel FOIA requests for the same information.
Show all updates

Related Documents

January 6, 2023

State Records Released in Response to Request for Communications Related to Sahar Nowrouzzadeh

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Agency Record
September 22, 2020

EPA Records Related Communications with Carl Icahn

Environmental Protection Agency
Agency Record
September 2, 2020

VA Communication Records with Concerned Veterans for America

Department of Veterans Affairs
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June 15, 2020

No Records Response from VA Regarding Communications with Concerned Veterans for America

Department of Veterans Affairs
Agency Reply
April 20, 2020

Opinion: American Oversight v. GSA, OMB, DOJ and FBI – FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation, General Services Administration, White House - Office of Management and Budget
Litigation
March 31, 2020

Opinion and Order: American Oversight v. OMB – FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

White House - Office of Management and Budget
Litigation
July 11, 2019

EPA Communications with the American Chemistry Council, Chemours Company, and Holland & Knight

Environmental Protection Agency
Agency Record
May 31, 2019

FBI Records Regarding Meeting Notes in the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Agency Record
April 17, 2019

No Records Response and Withheld Documents from OMB Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

White House - Office of Management and Budget
Agency Reply
March 12, 2019

FEMA Records Regarding Hurricanes Maria and Irma Relief Efforts and Meal Delivery

DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency
Agency Record
February 8, 2019

FOIA to CMS Seeking Memos Regarding Medicaid Work Requirements

Department of Health and Human Services, HHS - Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services
FOIA Request
February 8, 2019

FOIA to CMS Seeking Communications with State Governments Related to Medicaid Work Requirements

Department of Health and Human Services, HHS - Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services
FOIA Request
February 8, 2019

FOIA to HHS and CMS Seeking Medicaid Work Requirements Legal Analysis

Department of Homeland Security
FOIA Request
February 8, 2019

FOIA to CMS Seeking Communications with State Governments Related to Medicaid Work Requirements

Department of Health and Human Services, HHS - Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services
FOIA Request
February 5, 2019

FOIA to EPA Seeking Communications Regarding Diane Hendricks

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
December 18, 2018

FEMA Response Regarding Contract Bids

DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency
Agency Record
December 11, 2018

CFPB Records Related to Companies Charging Dubious Fees to Students

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Agency Record
November 19, 2018

FOIA to VA Seeking Communications with Concerned Veterans for America

Department of Veterans Affairs
FOIA Request
November 9, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. Education – Borrower Defense Rule

Department of Education
Litigation
November 8, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. State – Trump Business Influence on Embassies

Department of State
Litigation
November 7, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. State – Political Retaliation

Department of State
Litigation
October 26, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. FEMA – Hurricane Response

Department of Homeland Security, DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency
Litigation
October 25, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. VA and DOD – Mar-a-Lago Crowd Influence

Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs
Litigation
October 23, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. OMB – FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

White House - Office of Management and Budget
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October 23, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. GSA – FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

General Services Administration
Litigation
October 23, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. DOJ – FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

Department of Defense
Litigation
October 23, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. FBI – FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Litigation
October 23, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. DOJ, FBI, OMB, and GSA – White House Meetings Regarding FBI Headquarters

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation, General Services Administration, White House - Office of Management and Budget
Litigation
October 1, 2018

FOIA to CFBP Seeking a Report on Dubious Account Fees on Student Lending

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
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October 1, 2018

FOIA to CFPB Regarding Mulvaney’s Conflicts of Interest and Student Lending

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
FOIA Request
September 28, 2018

FOIA to State Seeking State Officials’ Communications Regarding Retaliation Against Career Civil Servants for Lack of Loyalty

Department of State
FOIA Request
September 28, 2018

FOIA Seeking Communications Containing Search Terms Regarding Sahar Nowrouzzadeh

Department of State
FOIA Request
September 7, 2018

FOIA to CFBP Regarding Navient Influence on the Agency

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
FOIA Request
September 7, 2018

FOIA to DOI Regarding Uranium Mining and Outside Influence

Department of the Interior
FOIA Request
September 7, 2018

FOIA to OSTP Regarding Uranium Mining and Outside Influence

White House - Office of Science and Technology Policy
FOIA Request
September 4, 2018

FOIA to USDA Seeking Records Related to Rep. Watson Coleman’s Letter to Rebeckah Adcock

Department of Agriculture
FOIA Request
August 31, 2018

FOIA to HHS Seeking Communications Between HHS and State Government Officials Regarding Title X Family Planning Policies

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
August 31, 2018

FOIA to HHS Seeking Communications Between HHS and Outside Entities Regarding Title X Family Planning Policies

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
August 31, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Records Produced to Rep. Frank Pallone in Response to His Letter

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
August 31, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Communications Between EPA Employees and the White House Seeking Terms Relating to Chemicals

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
August 31, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Nancy Beck’s Ethics Waivers or Authorizations

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
August 31, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Communications with Outside Chemical Groups Regarding a Suppressed Report

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
August 31, 2018

FOIA to DHS/U.S. Secret Service Seeking Records of Spending at Trump Properties

Department of Homeland Security, DHS - United States Secret Service
FOIA Request
August 31, 2018

FOIA to DHS/U.S. Secret Service Regarding Trump’s Visit to the Trump Turnberry Resort and Overtime Spending Costs

Department of Homeland Security, DHS - United States Secret Service
FOIA Request
August 31, 2018

FOIA to DHS/U.S. Secret Service Regarding Trump’s Visit and Spending at the Trump Turnberry Resort

DHS - United States Secret Service
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to OMB Seeking June Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to OMB Seeking January Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to OMB Seeking December Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to OMB Seeking Communications Between OMB and Trump Organization Officials

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to OMB Seeking Communications with the White House Regarding the Headquarters Consolidation Project

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to GSA Seeking June Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

General Services Administration
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to GSA Seeking January Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

General Services Administration
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to GSA Seeking December Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

General Services Administration
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to GSA Seeking Communications Between GSA and Trump Organization Officials

General Services Administration
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to GSA Seeking Communications with the White House Regarding the Headquarters Consolidation Project

General Services Administration
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to the FBI Seeking June Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to the FBI Seeking January Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to FBI Seeking Communications Between FBI and Trump Organization Officials

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to the FBI Seeking Communications with the White House Regarding the Headquarters Consolidation Project

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Seeking June Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Seeking January Meeting Notes Regarding the FBI Headquarters Consolidation Project

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Seeking Communications Between DOJ and Trump Organization Officials

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
August 30, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Seeking Communications with the White House Regarding the Headquarters Consolidation Project

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
August 29, 2018

FOIA to HHS Seeking Communications Regarding States’ Decisions to Deny Planned Parenthood Coverage

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
August 29, 2018

FOIA to HHS/CMS Seeking Communications Regarding Medicaid for Planned Parenthood Services

Department of Health and Human Services, HHS - Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services
FOIA Request
August 29, 2018

FOIA to HHS/CMS Regarding a January Letter Rescinding Medicaid Guidelines Following Planned Parenthood Videos

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
August 29, 2018

FOIA to HHS/CMS Seeking Communications with Outside Entities Regarding Medicaid for Planned Parenthood Services

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
August 29, 2018

FOIA to HHS/CMS Seeking Communications with Alliance Defending Freedom

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
August 24, 2018

FOIA to FDA Seeking Communications with Giuliani Regarding Opioids

HHS - Food and Drug Administration
FOIA Request
August 24, 2018

FOIA to DEA Seeking Communications With Giuliani Regarding Opioids

Drug Enforcement Administration
FOIA Request
August 24, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Regarding For Communications with Giuliani Regarding Opioids

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
August 24, 2018

FOIA to USDA Seeking Rebeckah Adcock’s Communications to External Entities

Department of Agriculture
FOIA Request
August 24, 2018

FOIA to USDA Seeking Rebeckah Adcock’s Communications with the Regulatory Reform Task Force

Department of Agriculture
FOIA Request
August 24, 2018

FOIA to USDA Seeking Rebeckah Adcock’s Ethics Guidance

Department of Agriculture
FOIA Request
August 24, 2018

FOIA to USDA Seeking Rebeckah Adcock’s Communications with Her Former Employer

Department of Agriculture
FOIA Request
August 24, 2018

FOIA to State Regarding the Ownership Dispute Over the Former Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower

Department of State
FOIA Request
August 21, 2018

FOIA to State Regarding the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom

Department of State
FOIA Request
August 21, 2018

FOIA to OMB Regarding Sens. Warren and Brown’s Letter Regarding Kathy Kraninger

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
August 21, 2018

FOIA to OMB Seeking OMB’s Analysis Concerning DOJ’s Family Separation Policy

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
August 21, 2018

FOIA to OMB Seeking Kathy Kraninger’s White House Communications Regarding DOJ’s Family Separation Policy

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
August 21, 2018

FOIA to OMB Seeking Kathy Kraninger’s Communications With DOJ, DHS, or HHS Regarding DOJ’s Family Separation Policy

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
August 3, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Communications with Office of the Administrator or the Office of Air and Radiation

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
August 3, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Communications with CVR Energy and Other Outside Entities

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
August 3, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Communications with Office of the Administrator or the Office of Air and Radiation

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
June 21, 2018

FOIA to State Seeking Mari Stull’s Emails Regarding Her Review of State Employees’ Social Media

Department of State
FOIA Request
June 21, 2018

FOIA to State Seeking Nikki Haley’s Communications

Department of State
FOIA Request
June 12, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Communications Between Senior Officials and FOIA Office Contact

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
June 12, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Communications Regarding EPA’s Processing of American Oversight FOIAs

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
June 12, 2018

FOIA to EPA Regarding Rep. Cummings’ Letter About FOIA Processing

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
June 12, 2018

FOIA to EPA Seeking Communications Regarding FOIA Processing

Environmental Protection Agency
FOIA Request
May 1, 2018

FOIA to DHS Regarding Nondisclosure Agreements and Restrictions on Appointees

Department of Homeland Security
FOIA Request
May 1, 2018

FOIA to DHS Seeking Restrictions on Communications with Congress

Department of Homeland Security
FOIA Request
May 1, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Regarding Nondisclosure Agreements and Restrictions on Appointees

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
May 1, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Seeking Restrictions on Communications with Congress and other Nondisclosure Agreements

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
April 20, 2018

FOIA Seeking Communications Regarding Lance Leggitt’s Memorandum

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
April 20, 2018

FOIA Seeking Any Agreements Given to HHS Employees

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
April 20, 2018

FOIA to HHS Regarding Limitations on Employees Communicating with Congress

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
April 19, 2018

FOIA to DHS/FEMA Regarding Puerto Rico Preparedness

DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency
FOIA Request
April 19, 2018

FOIA to FEMA Regarding Puerto Rico Seeking Communications with Food Retailers

DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency
FOIA Request
April 19, 2018

FOIA to FEMA Regarding Bids for Contract Following Hurricanes Maria and Irma

DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency
FOIA Request
April 19, 2018

FOIA to FEMA Regarding a Particular Contract Following Hurricanes Maria and Irma

DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency
FOIA Request
March 14, 2018

FOIA to Commerce Regarding 2020 Census

Department of Commerce
FOIA Request