1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

Keep Department of Government Efficiency records public, transparent I speak against the decision to designate the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Presidential Records Act, which raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability. By shielding DOGE's records from public disclosure until 2034, this move undermines the principles of open government and citizens' right to access information. The Freedom of Information Act exists to foster transparency and allow the public to understand how government agencies operate. Exempting DOGE from FOIA requests for nearly a decade obstructs this critical democratic process. Citizens deserve insight into the efficiency initiatives that could drastically impact vital public services. Furthermore, insulating DOGE from judicial oversight for years enables the office to operate without proper checks and balances. This lack of accountability increases the risk of mismanagement, undue influence, or policies that undermine the public interest. Transparency ensures government entities remain answerable to the people they serve. Opaque government operations breed distrust and undermine faith in our institutions. Preserving DOGE's transparency will uphold democratic ideals and ensure its work aligns with the best interests of all citizens. I urge you to speak against this decision and subject DOGE to standard open records laws and judicial review.