Politics

Supreme Court agrees to hear fight over access to DOGE records

The administration argues DOGE is not subject to the request, which the watchdog group contests in court.

Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 20:25 UTC5 reports

The short version

The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear a dispute over a watchdog group's bid for DOGE records.[CBS News · NBC News]
The Trump administration argues DOGE is not subject to FOIA, while a lower court had allowed limited discovery.[CBS News · NBC News]
Earlier, the Court set aside a lower-court order 6-3 and sent the case back to narrow discovery.[CBS News]
Arguments are likely in early 2027, with a decision anticipated by summer 2027.[CBS News]

CREW filed a FOIA request in early 2025 seeking DOGE records, including its organizational chart and financial disclosures.[CBS News · NBC News]
The Trump administration declined to process the request, arguing DOGE is not subject to FOIA because it is housed in the Executive Office of the President and is purely advisory.[CBS News]
CREW sued, seeking a court order declaring DOGE covered by FOIA.[CBS News · NBC News]
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court set aside a lower-court order requiring DOGE to turn over information about its work.[CBS News]
The Court cited separation-of-powers concerns about discovery involving internal executive branch communications.[CBS News]
The Supreme Court remanded the case and directed the D.C. Circuit to narrow the district court's discovery order.[CBS News]
Arguments are likely in early 2027, with a decision expected by summer 2027.[CBS News]

Whether DOGE is an agency subject to FOIA remains unresolved, and the Court's eventual ruling is not yet known.[CBS News · NBC News]
Timing is preliminary: arguments are likely in early 2027, and the decision date is anticipated rather than fixed.[CBS News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.