The U.S. Supreme Court intervened on June 10 to protect the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from transparency demands, issuing a temporary halt on lower court orders that required the agency to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests tied to an ongoing lawsuit. The decision grants time for DOGE, created by President Donald Trump in 2021 through Executive Order 14158, to resist disclosing documents related to its operations.

The executive order tasked DOGE with modernizing federal technology and improving government efficiency, but its actions have been questioned due to the secrecy surrounding its operations. The case, U.S. DOGE Service v. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), highlights concerns over DOGE’s lack of transparency in its decision-making process. CREW alleges that the body is exercising significant influence over federal agencies while operating behind a veil of secrecy, preventing the public from fully understanding its actions.

U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court, arguing that DOGE, as an advisory entity, should not be subject to FOIA. The case continues to draw attention, with critics questioning why transparency is being delayed, especially regarding the agency’s role and power. The Supreme Court’s stay puts a pause on further orders, awaiting further clarification on the matter.