Jamie Raskin’s FOIA Request Strategy Against DOGE: How Americans Can Fight Back

Why we all need to participate....TODAY.

Mar 13, 2025

Christy here. Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin has come up with a strategy that Americans can participate in to fight back against DOGE. Here’s the skinny

In a bold move against government overreach and secrecy, U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin has launched an initiative encouraging Americans to file Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests targeting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His strategy is simple but powerful: force DOGE to comply with transparency laws and expose its overreach in dismantling critical government functions.

DOGE, an agency created under the Trump administration and currently overseen by Elon Musk, was tasked with reducing federal bureaucracy. However, its rapid and often opaque actions have raised alarm. With no designated oversight section to review its dismantling of government structures, it operates without significant internal checks.

By flooding DOGE with data requests, Raskin aims to slow its progress and force it into compliance with federal transparency laws. This article explores how the strategy works, why it is crucial, and the legal consequences for DOGE and the government if they fail to comply.

DOGE’s Role and Lack of Oversight

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was established with the stated purpose of streamlining federal agencies, cutting government spending, and eliminating redundancies. However, its execution of this mission has been far more aggressive than anticipated. Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE has:

Eliminated entire federal programs without clear replacement strategies.
Laid off government employees at an alarming rate, often without justification.
Blocked FOIA requests that would provide transparency into its decision-making processes.
Failed to establish an independent oversight section, meaning there is no internal department ensuring that DOGE’s actions are legal and within its jurisdiction.

Critics argue that rather than making government more efficient, DOGE is functioning as a demolition crew, dismantling essential government structures under the guise of cost-cutting.

This lack of oversight makes it particularly vulnerable to legal challenges, especially those rooted in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974.

How FOIA and Privacy Act Requests Can Slow Down DOGE

FOIA and Privacy Act requests are powerful tools that demand time, labor, and legal scrutiny from the agencies they target. If a federal agency receives a request, it is required by law to respond within a set timeframe, usually 20 business days. If DOGE fails to comply, it can be sued, and courts have historically ruled in favor of transparency.

Jamie Raskin’s strategy is to encourage thousands—if not millions—of Americans to file these requests at once. This will have several effects:

1. Overwhelming DOGE’s Bureaucracy

DOGE will be legally required to review and process every request, diverting resources from its mission of dismantling government programs.
The agency will be forced to dedicate significant time and manpower to answering these requests instead of continuing its unchecked destruction of federal systems.

2. Forcing Transparency on DOGE’s Actions

Many government watchdogs and legal experts suspect that DOGE has been operating beyond its legal mandate, but without transparency, it is difficult to prove.
These requests will require DOGE to disclose its internal communications, policies, and decision-making processes, exposing potential legal violations.

3. Creating a Legal Precedent Against DOGE’s Secrecy

If DOGE refuses to comply with the FOIA requests, it will be open to lawsuits that could result in federal court rulings limiting its power.
A legal precedent would set constraints on DOGE’s future actions and potentially curb its ability to continue eliminating government agencies without accountability.

Legal Consequences for DOGE and the Government if They Refuse to Comply

If DOGE does not fulfill the FOIA and Privacy Act requests, it will face several legal repercussions, which could cripple its effectiveness:

1. Lawsuits and Injunctions Against DOGE

Individuals or organizations that file FOIA requests can sue DOGE if their requests are ignored.
If a federal court finds DOGE in violation, it can issue an injunction, forcing the agency to halt certain operations until it complies with the requests.
Courts may also fine DOGE or hold its leadership in contempt if they refuse to provide information.

2. Exposure of Illegal Actions

FOIA requests often uncover government misconduct. If DOGE is found to have been operating outside its legal authority, it could:
Be stripped of certain powers by Congress.
Have its leadership subjected to legal action for violating transparency laws.
See Elon Musk himself subpoenaed to testify about his management of the agency.

3. Congressional Oversight and Potential Defunding

If Raskin’s initiative is successful, it could force Congress to hold hearings on DOGE’s activities.
With enough public pressure, lawmakers could move to defund DOGE or restructure it with proper oversight mechanisms.

How Americans Can Participate in the FOIA Request Strategy

Jamie Raskin has made it simple for Americans to get involved. Here’s how:

Step 1: Fill Out a Privacy Act Request Form

A fillable form is available on jamieraskin.com.
The form requests all personal data DOGE has collected on you, forcing the agency to reveal its surveillance and tracking practices.

Step 2: Submit Your Request to DOGE

Once the form is completed, send it via certified mail to:

Department of Government Efficiency

736 Jackson Place NW

Washington, D.C. 20503

Step 3: Notify Raskin’s Office

After submission, fill out the notification form on Raskin’s website to receive updates on the initiative.

Step 4: Spread the Word

Share the initiative on social media.
Encourage friends and family to submit their own requests.
Contact journalists and advocacy groups to raise awareness.

What Happens Next? The Potential Impact of Raskin’s Initiative

If enough Americans participate, Raskin’s initiative could have significant consequences for DOGE:

1. Slowing Down DOGE’s Progress

The sheer volume of requests will force DOGE to divert resources from dismantling federal agencies.

2. Forcing Transparency on an Otherwise Secretive Agency

The public will gain access to DOGE’s internal decisions, shedding light on potentially illegal activities.

3. Potential Congressional Action

If DOGE is found to have overstepped its authority, Congress could intervene, limiting or dismantling the agency itself.

4. Legal Precedents that Strengthen Government Accountability

A court ruling against DOGE could be used to strengthen FOIA laws and prevent future abuses by government agencies.

Why We Must Fight for Transparency and Democracy

Jamie Raskin’s FOIA request strategy is more than just a bureaucratic inconvenience for DOGE—it’s a direct challenge to an agency that has been operating in the shadows while dismantling critical government functions. By overwhelming DOGE with transparency demands, the American people can force the agency to slow down, expose its inner workings, and possibly bring its operations to a halt.

The success of this movement depends on public participation. Every FOIA request filed is a step toward accountability. Every exposure of DOGE’s activities is a blow against unchecked government power.

If DOGE and Elon Musk refuse to comply, the legal consequences will not only cripple the agency but could also serve as a landmark case in the fight for government transparency.

The time to act is now.

Join The Politics Chicks as we support and help spread the word about Jamie Raskin’s initiative and demand the truth from DOGE. The future of our democracy depends on it.