Topic: Government Transparency

News Roundup: Georgia’s Attack on Voting Rights

April 1, 2021
As the nation reacts to the voting restrictions signed into law in Georgia, threats to democracy are alive across the country.

DOJ Records of White House Communications Regarding Congressional Oversight

March 30, 2021
Records released in response to American Oversight's lawsuit against the Justice Department for communications of top DOJ officials with the White House regarding congressional oversight.

Documents Show Far-Right Influence at Trump Commerce Department

March 30, 2021
In one email to former Secretary Ross, the head of an anti-immigration group lamented “the shift of political power” brought by immigration; other emails indicate outside efforts to place appointees at the department.

FOIA to Multiple Agencies Seeking Archival Inventories of Outgoing Senior Officials

March 30, 2021
FOIA request to multiple agencies seeking records reflecting the archival inventories of outgoing senior officials from the Trump administration.

FOIA to NARA Seeking Archival Inventories of Outgoing Senior Officials

March 30, 2021
FOIA request to the National Archives and Records Administration seeking archival inventories of outgoing senior officials from the Trump administration

Arizona Attorney General Calendar Released to American Oversight Excludes Jan. 6

March 26, 2021
Documents obtained in response to an open records request include calendar entries from October 2020 to March 2021, but skips over Jan. 6 — the day of the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol. (This article has been updated with Arizona's response.)

News Roundup: The Big Lie Becomes Big Policy

March 25, 2021
The sheer number of voting-restriction bills currently floating in state legislatures makes it hard to keep track of where each proposal stands. But they all point to the fact that conservative leaders and fundraisers have increasingly adopted such restrictions as a primary policy position.

One Year of the Coronavirus Pandemic: The Federal Response

March 24, 2021
From the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic last year, a stumbling federal response exacerbated a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis.

Texas Attorney General Communications Concerning DHS Agreement on Deportation Policy

March 19, 2021
Records from the Texas Attorney General's Office in response to American Oversight's request for communications about an agreement concerning deportation that Attorney General Ken Paxton entered into with DHS in the final weeks of President Donald Trump’s administration.

News Roundup: Spotlight on the States

March 18, 2021
It’s Sunshine Week, and we’re continuing to shine a light on the actions of state governments across the country to narrow access to our democracy or to use public office to serve the few.