"The rapid pace of actions…requires the quick release of information about its structure and activities. That is especially so given the secrecy with which USDS has operated."

Trump officials have argued that records from the government efficiency initiative fall under the Presidential Records Act, which can temporarily shield information from public scrutiny.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said in his ruling that the public could potentially be “irreparably harmed” by any “indefinite delay” of records requested of DOGE by the public watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW.