The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily halted a lower court order that would have required the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Chief Justice John Roberts issued the stay as the Court deliberates on whether DOGE qualifies as a federal agency subject to FOIA requirements. The department, created by President Trump to modernize federal operations, has faced ongoing criticism for its lack of transparency and limited public accountability.

The legal battle centers on whether DOGE holds enough governmental authority to fall under FOIA oversight. The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) argues that DOGE wields significant influence and must be subject to public disclosure laws. In contrast, the Justice Department maintains that DOGE serves solely an advisory role and is not bound by FOIA. Adding to the controversy, Elon Musk, who has led DOGE during his special appointment, is expected to step down soon as his term concludes.