Judge Rejects Watchdog’s Bid to Keep FOIA Office Open Amid Trump-Era ‘Restructuring’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from a government watchdog group seeking to block the Trump administration’s controversial effort to shutter a key Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office during a broader internal “restructuring.” The decision is a setback for transparency advocates concerned about access to public records and government accountability.

The ruling, issued this week by U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton, denies a motion by the nonpartisan group Democracy Forward, which filed suit in 2020 in response to the abrupt closure of the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The office, often described as the “FOIA ombudsman,” plays a critical role in helping the public resolve disputes over denied information requests and ensuring agencies comply with federal transparency laws.

Judge: Court Lacks Jurisdiction

In his ruling, Judge Walton found that the court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in what he described as an internal administrative restructuring of executive functions, even if the move appeared to hinder transparency.

“While the court is sympathetic to the plaintiffs’ concerns about access to government information, it is not within this court’s power to override the executive branch’s internal personnel and structural decisions,” Walton wrote.

The judge emphasized that Congress, not the courts, is the appropriate venue to address any perceived weakening of FOIA compliance mechanisms.

Watchdogs Decry “Transparency Rollback”

Democracy Forward and other government watchdogs argue the Trump administration used bureaucratic maneuvering to sideline FOIA enforcement, undermining public access to information on everything from environmental policy to immigration enforcement.

“The court’s decision allows a dangerous precedent to stand — that the executive branch can dismantle watchdog functions in the dark,” said Skye Perryman, legal counsel for Democracy Forward. “This is not just a loss for us, but for every American who relies on FOIA to understand what their government is doing.”

During the Trump administration, several agencies were accused of deliberately delaying or ignoring FOIA requests, leading to a spike in litigation and concern from transparency groups.

Congressional Action Urged

With legal recourse now limited, open government advocates are calling on Congress to strengthen FOIA protections by codifying the independence of OGIS and requiring reporting to Congress before any major structural changes to transparency offices can be enacted.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), a long-time FOIA reform advocate, responded to the ruling by saying, “If the courts won’t step in, Congress must. FOIA is only as strong as the institutions that defend it.”