iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Liz Hempowicz @lizhempowicz.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Coincidence that AO was already all over every issue on the top of Wiles' mind? Yeah, I think not.

media.tenor.com

Jay Z Dust Off GIF

ALT: Jay Z Dust Off GIF

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 16/12/2025

Susie Wiles’ Vanity Fair interview admits that Trump is using the power of the federal government to attack people he doesn’t like. You deserve to know exactly how agencies are carrying out his orders. Here’s how we’re fighting to get that information: www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...

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Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Got #FOIA questions? @laurenleharper.bsky.social @kevinok.bsky.social & @lizhempowicz.bsky.social have the answers. Join us for a FOIA AMA today at 1 eastern.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 01/10/2025

Government transparency is the lifeblood of our democracy. We’ve filed thousands of public records requests this year and are ready to go to court when government officials attempt to keep documents hidden. Read more about our latest accountability work: americanoversight.org

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 27/08/2025

The public has a right to know why the White House is trampling on D.C.’s home rule and deploying the Guard into another American city. That’s why we went to court for records on Trump’s federal power grab targeting D.C. and immigrant communities. americanoversight.org/american-ove...

americanoversight.org

American Oversight Sues for Records on Trump’s Federal Power Grab Targeting D.C. and Immigrant Communities - American Oversight

American Oversight demands transparency on Trump’s politicized use of federal power – from immigration enforcement to the unprecedented federalization of D.C. Police.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 23/08/2025

We filed FOIA requests with DHS for records—including texts—regarding the June deployment of the National Guard to LA. DHS told us it can no longer search for text messages. And it hasn’t maintained that data since April. This is unlawful and alarming. americanoversight.org/american-ove...

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 19/05/2025

NEW: We’re suing the IRS, the Treasury, and the Department of Education for records related to Trump’s unprecedented political attacks on Harvard. Today it’s Harvard. Tomorrow it could be any university, nonprofit, or foundation that serves the public. americanoversight.org/american-ove...

americanoversight.org

American Oversight Sues IRS Over Trump Admin’s Escalating Political Attacks Against Harvard - American Oversight

The Harvard case is a bellwether in the Trump administration's widening attacks on entities committed to the public good.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 19/05/2025

Trump has turned the IRS and other federal agencies into political weapons—targeting those who don’t fall in line. The latest target? Harvard. americanoversight.org/american-ove...

americanoversight.org

American Oversight Sues IRS Over Trump Admin’s Escalating Political Attacks Against Harvard - American Oversight

The Harvard case is a bellwether in the Trump administration's widening attacks on entities committed to the public good.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 19/05/2025

Trump has also sought to abuse the IRS to further his anti-immigrant goals. We recently succeeded in getting redactions lifted on an agreement between ICE and the IRS, which could compromise the personal information of millions of taxpayers. americanoversight.org/heres-what-t...

americanoversight.org

Here’s What the Government Tried to Keep Hidden in the IRS-ICE Data-Sharing Agreement - American Oversight

The unsealing of key documents, including the agreement itself, reveals not only what taxpayer data ICE is seeking from the IRS, but also the highly questionable justifications the government used to ...

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 14/04/2025

Cuts to the Social Security Administration — slashing the workforce, closing field offices, and implementing new policy changes — will directly impact millions of Americans. They deserve answers. americanoversight.org/american-ove...

americanoversight.org

American Oversight Launches Investigation into Trump Administration’s Plan to Gut Social Security - American Oversight

Our investigation follows reports that the Trump administration plans to slash the Social Security workforce and implement changes to make it harder to qualify for assistance.

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Ken Klippenstein @kenklippenstein.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Never in my decade of filing FOIA requests have I gotten a response like this. Customs and Border Protection denies my request, saying "Due to law enforcement sensitivities we can neither confirm nor deny the existence of records." No exemption cited, no name of who wrote this.

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Lauren Harper @laurenleharper.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

1) DOGE firing an entire FOIA office doesn't negate an agency's statutory requirements to process FOIAs. Even if the agency is taken down to bare bones. They are still required to process FOIAs. 2) There will be no way to rebuild what DOGE breaks if there are are no records to use as a roadmap.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 28/03/2025

“It shouldn’t matter who is overseeing this case or any others. What matters is whether or not there is a violation of the law.” americanoversight.org/court-orders...

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 28/03/2025

Today, the court ordered officials to preserve Signal messages sent between March 11 and 15. “We know that it’s a first step,” said AO’s Chioma Chukwu. “There’s a lot more work to be done here.” Support our work and join the fight for our democracy: americanoversight.org/contribute/

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 28/03/2025

“We’re going to have to keep going, because you can’t believe what the administration says. You have to watch what it does.” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/u...

nytimes.com

Another Problem With That Signal Chat? The Messages Disappear.

The Presidential Records Act and the Federal Records Act require officials to preserve communications related to government business.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 27/03/2025

NEW: A federal court just ordered the Trump administration to preserve Signal messages from March 11–15. The ruling comes in our lawsuit against top officials for violations of federal records laws. americanoversight.org/court-orders...

americanoversight.org

Court Orders Trump Administration to Preserve Signal Messages in American Oversight Lawsuit - American Oversight

The court granted a temporary restraining order to halt the deletion of critical national security communications and preserve Signal communications from March 11–15, 2025.

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Lauren Harper @laurenleharper.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

And because Signal violated the PRA's preservation requirements, it would be Marco Rubio's job as acting archivist to refer the unlawful records destruction issue to the DOJ. Too bad Rubio was also on the Signal chat.

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Ms. M @msmalarkey24.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

ICYMI, @propublica.org uncovered Project 2025 training videos last summer. And here’s where they discuss how to evade FOIA & hide their agenda from the public. The “Houthi PC small group” didn’t arise from ignorance of the law or incompetence. They just got caught.

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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

JUST IN: American Oversight is suing Hegseth, Gabbard, Ratcliffe et al, saying their messaging via Signal is a violation of the Federal Records Act. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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Adam Smith @asmith83.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

I guess it's not surprising, but the daughter of the CEO of this ICE contractor was one of the 2020 "fake electors."

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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Totally agree with this. Flying a person to a third country that they may never have been to, directly into a prison where they are going to be forced to do hard labor, is not a deportation; it's something else entirely.

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Liz Hempowicz @lizhempowicz.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Amazing way to celebrate Sunshine Week during an otherwise preeeeeeetty dark time for government transparency. Love this from @freedom.press.

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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 17/03/2025

A judge recently ruled DOGE is likely subject to FOIA. But it’s still possible DOGE will continue operating with unchecked secrecy. Here are the five questions whose answers will shed light on DOGE’s FOIA future.

freedom.press

Why will it take DOGE three years to respond to a simple FOIA?

Five important questions to ask about DOGE’s FOIA future

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Matthew Gertz @mattgertz.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Once you establish that people can be punished because the administration doesn't like their speech, expanding the bounds of who can be treated that way becomes inevitable.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 12/03/2025

Redacted calendars. Communications on non-official accounts. Claims of “no information” in response to our requests. Why our investigation of Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks’ tenure as Texas border czar revealed more questions than answers: americanoversight.org/where-are-tr...

americanoversight.org

Where Are Trump Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks’ Communications from His Time as Texas Border Czar? - American Oversight

The lack of records in response to American Oversight’s requests from its two-year investigation of Banks raises questions about public accountability and transparency.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 12/03/2025

NEW LAWSUIT: Following reports that USAID staff were directed to shred and burn classified and personnel documents, we’re suing the Trump administration for violations of the Federal Records Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and FOIA. americanoversight.org/american-ove...

americanoversight.org

American Oversight Sues Trump Administration for Directing Agency Staff to Shred and Burn Government Records - American Oversight

American Oversight filed suit against government for violating the Federal Records Act and other transparency laws following reports staff were instructed to destroy documents.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 12/03/2025

Last Week Tonight discussed conditions in ICE detention facilities — including our recent report with ACLU and Physicians for Human Rights that found that 95% of deaths in detention could likely have been prevented with adequate medical care. youtu.be/5Hpgu7wSUQQ?...

youtu.be

ICE Detention: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

YouTube video by LastWeekTonight

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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 11/03/2025

It would be easier to achieve "maximum transparency" if DOGE's tech geniuses didn't need three years to release eight weeks worth of records in response to a FOIA request.

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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 05/03/2025

"We get the tweets from Elon Musk saying what he thinks DOGE is doing, but we have no way to see the actual records that verify those claims," @laurenleharper.bsky.social tells @news.dw.com Secrecy is becoming a defining trait for DOGE, leaving the public in the dark about its influence.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 05/03/2025

NEW: We amended our lawsuit against the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, adding six additional requests that DOGE has failed to provide a timely response to, in violation of FOIA. americanoversight.org/american-ove...

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Lisa Gilbert @lisa-pubcitizen.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Could not be more ironic. He just said the days of "rule by unelected bureaucrats are over." Except...that is THE definition of Elon Musk. @Public_Citizen He also just returned to the drain the swamp trope...even more ironic in his govn. of BILLIONAIRES

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Liz Hempowicz @lizhempowicz.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Going to need to know if the same people who were responsible for quality control on the DOGE savings numbers fact checked this address.

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Doug Lindner @douglindner.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

As a democracy policy expert, a lobbyist, a lawyer, a guy with a master’s in public administration, and a polisci major, I promise you the distinction between “State of the Union” and “Address to a Joint Session of Congress” is not worth understanding or thinking about ever again

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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Reuters: USG "workers with top security clearances fired in mass layoffs overseen by Elon Musk ... were not given standard exit briefings and advised on what to do if approached by foreign adversaries" CNN: "US intel shows Russia and China are attempting to recruit disgruntled federal employees"

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 04/03/2025

A former senior CFPB official has warned that there is “imminent risk that twelve years’ of critical CFPB records, which belong to the public, will be irretrievably lost and cost serious and sweeping damage.” americanoversight.org/featureddocu...

americanoversight.org

Letter to National Archives and CFPB Regarding Potential Unlawful Destruction of Records - American Oversight

American Oversight's letter to NARA and the CFPB regarding the unlawful destruction or removal of CFPB records in violation of the Federal Records Act.

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Liz Hempowicz @lizhempowicz.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

This is why Trump, Musk, and so-called DOGE are fighting basic pre-existing transparency requirements for the office's work. Their goal isn’t a more efficient or accountable government, it’s controlling the narrative to cover for sloppy cuts and self-enrichment. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/u...

nytimes.com

Struggling With Errors, DOGE Deletes Billions More From List of Savings

For the second time in a week, Elon Musk’s government overhaul effort updated its “wall of receipts” to remove mistakes that inflated its success.

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Adam Smith @asmith83.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

how many anti-trans columns will this focus on "personal liberties" lead to do you think

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 25/02/2025

We’re suing DOGE over FOIA requests for Elon Musk’s communications around the Trump administration’s purges of the federal workforce. The lawsuit will likely serve as the first test of whether DOGE is subject to FOIA. americanoversight.org/new-lawsuit-...

americanoversight.org

New Lawsuit Seeks Musk’s Communications, Pushes Back Against DOGE’s Secretive Efforts to Invade Agencies and Evade Oversight - American Oversight

The first Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against DOGE will test Elon Musk’s efforts to evade accountability and the federal transparency law.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 25/02/2025

One month ago, Trump fired more than a dozen inspectors general in a late-night purge of officials tasked with rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. The firings were a clear legal violation — and an attack on the offices that hold our government accountable. americanoversight.org/american-ove...

americanoversight.org

American Oversight Opens Investigation into Mass Firings of Inspectors General by Trump Administration - American Oversight

American Oversight filed FOIA requests with 14 major federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense, State, and Labor.

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American Oversight @americanoversight.org · 25/02/2025

Last week, the Texas Supreme Court heard arguments in our lawsuit against Gov. Abbott and AG Paxton for records we requested years ago. “At stake is who has the authority to compel the highest executives in the state to produce public documents.” www.dallasnews.com/opinion/edit...

dallasnews.com

Texas’ tradition of open, transparent government is in peril

The Texas Supreme Court will soon make a decision over a dispute involving Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton versus a watchdog group seeking...

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Kara Swisher @karaswisher.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Sounds logical but the government has duties businesses do not and this method does not improve or save money more than it indiscriminately destroys www.politico.com/news/magazin...

politico.com

He’s Spent Years Watching Silicon Valley Take Companies Apart. He Has a Warning for DC.

A tech insider speaks about Elon Musk’s playbook for DOGE.

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