Topic: Government Transparency

The Increase in FOIA Lawsuits Isn’t the Problem — It’s Agencies Underfunding Their Transparency Obligations

March 17, 2020
This Sunshine Week, the need to properly fund agencies' FOIA work is more important than ever. Otherwise, officials shouldn't be surprised when requesters turn to the courts.

No Records Response from ODNI Regarding Ethics Documents and Resumes of Richard Grenell or Kash Patel

March 16, 2020
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) stated that it did not have any records response to American Oversight's request for ethics documents and resumes of acting DNI Richard Grenell and adviser Kash Patel.

No Records Response from ODNI Regarding SF-86 Documents for Richard Grenell

March 16, 2020
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) stated that it had no records in response to American Oversight's request for SF-86 of Richard Grenell, Ambassador to Germany and Acting Director of National Intelligence.

News Roundup: Continuing Our Investigation of Coronavirus Response

March 13, 2020
As we all take steps to mitigate the severity of the outbreak, American Oversight is continuing to investigate the Trump administration’s troublingly inadequate response to the crisis.

American Oversight Sues Trump, Kushner for Transparency in Clemency Process

March 12, 2020
The public has the right to see records from the Jared Kushner-led clemency task force.

Complaint: American Oversight v. Trump, Kushner, and the Executive Office of the President – Clemency Task Force Meeting Records

March 12, 2020
Lawsuit filed by American Oversight against President Donald Trump, White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, and the Executive Office of the President for documents prepared by or for members of the president’s clemency task force, including minutes, transcripts, reports, or agendas. These records were initially requested under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). 

Complaint: Bartlett v. State – Records Referencing Lawrence Bartlett

March 6, 2020
Lawsuit filed by Lawrence Bartlett, represented by American Oversight, against the Department of State for records reflecting emails or correspondence sent or received by specific officials from other U.S. government agencies that reference Bartlett by name or title between January 20, 2017, and March 20, 2018.

No Records Response from DOJ Regarding NDAs for Administration Officials

March 6, 2020
The Department of Justice Civil Division stated it had no records in response to our request for non-disclosure agreements other than standardized non-disclosure agreements concerning access to national security information classified pursuant to presidential executive order.

Open Records Request to Georgia’s Office of the Governor Seeking Any Spending Records at Trump Properties

February 28, 2020
Open records request to Georgia's Office of the Governor seeking records reflecting any and all spending by the State of Georgia at any property owned by the Trump Organization or DJT Holdings, KKC or anywhere President Trump has an ownership interest.

FOIA to DOJ Seeking Attorney General Communications Concerning Michael Flynn’s Criminal Case

February 28, 2020
FOIA to the Offices of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General seeking communications with former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s legal representatives or containing key terms related to his criminal case.