Court Rules in Favor of FGA, Requires Department of Justice to Hand Over Documents
- BY FGA
Naples, FL — On July 12, 2022, the Federal District Court ordered the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), all requested documents required under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) before the midterm election(s).
Earlier this summer, several federal agencies failed to respond to FGA’s FOIA requests seeking documents related to President Biden’s Executive Order 14019. In April, FGA filed a lawsuit against DOJ in federal court seeking an order to compel the agency to turn over the requested documents.
In July, both FGA and DOJ submitted their proposed timelines for production of the requested documents. FGA’s proposed timeline centered on transparency, seeking to receive the documents in advance of the November elections. Meanwhile, DOJ’s timeline proposed extending the deadline well into next year. According to DOJ, their proposed timeline was “generous” and providing the documents any sooner than next year would “put an undue strain on agency resources…”
With this latest order, the Court sternly disagreed with DOJ, ordering them to provide all documents required under law to FGA before the midterm elections.
“The American people and policymakers alike have a right to the public information FGA has requested under FOIA. If the Biden administration will not follow the law by providing these public documents in a timely manner that we have lawfully requested, then we must use the power of the courts to compel the administration to do so,” stated Tarren Bragdon, FGA President and CEO. “This initial win in the courtroom is a victory for transparency, for government accountability, and for the American people. We’re just getting started.”
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The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that promotes public policy solutions to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.
