American Oversight
@weareoversight.bsky.social
We're a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog that advances truth, accountability, and democracy by enforcing the public's right to government records.
In a court filing in our lawsuit, DHS revealed it stopped automatically archiving texts in April.
Instead, it’s relying on officials, like Sec. Noem, to take screenshots to preserve texts.
This leaves a lot of room for error.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
Instead, it’s relying on officials, like Sec. Noem, to take screenshots to preserve texts.
This leaves a lot of room for error.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
DHS Admits It Provided “Erroneous” Information on Texts of Noem and DHS Brass, Hasn’t Confirmed It Followed Law - American Oversight
Thursday, following a court filing in American Oversight’s lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the agency’s initial claim that it failed to preserve the text messages of…
americanoversight.org
November 16, 2025 at 12:45 AM
In a court filing in our lawsuit, DHS revealed it stopped automatically archiving texts in April.
Instead, it’s relying on officials, like Sec. Noem, to take screenshots to preserve texts.
This leaves a lot of room for error.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
Instead, it’s relying on officials, like Sec. Noem, to take screenshots to preserve texts.
This leaves a lot of room for error.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
Records we obtained, reported on by @motherjones.com, show the Trump admin is considering using drivers’ license info from all 50 states in its national data system.
Election officials can use it to check voters’ citizenship—and remove people from voter rolls.
americanoversight.org/trump-admin-...
Election officials can use it to check voters’ citizenship—and remove people from voter rolls.
americanoversight.org/trump-admin-...
Records show Trump administration enlisting Americans' drivers license and passport data to chase virtually nonexistent “non-citizen voting”
Experts warn the Trump administration’s efforts could be used for large-scale purges of eligible voters from the rolls.
americanoversight.org
November 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Records we obtained, reported on by @motherjones.com, show the Trump admin is considering using drivers’ license info from all 50 states in its national data system.
Election officials can use it to check voters’ citizenship—and remove people from voter rolls.
americanoversight.org/trump-admin-...
Election officials can use it to check voters’ citizenship—and remove people from voter rolls.
americanoversight.org/trump-admin-...
Big accountability win! We reached a settlement in our lawsuit against the Georgia State Election Board. Now members have to properly preserve public records of their actions.
It’s crucial as board members intensify their push of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
It’s crucial as board members intensify their push of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
American Oversight Reaches Settlement in Lawsuit Against Georgia State Election Board - American Oversight
It’s a victory for accountability heading into 2026 as board members intensify their conspiratorial push of anti-voter policies. Our suit led to new safeguards requiring board members to properly…
americanoversight.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Big accountability win! We reached a settlement in our lawsuit against the Georgia State Election Board. Now members have to properly preserve public records of their actions.
It’s crucial as board members intensify their push of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
It’s crucial as board members intensify their push of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
This week, we reached a settlement requiring Georgia’s election board to preserve records, filed requests for info about SNAP benefits during the shutdown, and published ICE records showing bleak conditions at the Guantánamo Bay detention facility.
americanoversight.org/newsletter/t...
americanoversight.org/newsletter/t...
Transparency is Non-Negotiable, from Georgia to Guantánamo
More on the Georgia State Election Board’s records, what happened to SNAP during the shutdown, and how ICE is using the Guantánamo Bay detention facility.
americanoversight.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:15 AM
This week, we reached a settlement requiring Georgia’s election board to preserve records, filed requests for info about SNAP benefits during the shutdown, and published ICE records showing bleak conditions at the Guantánamo Bay detention facility.
americanoversight.org/newsletter/t...
americanoversight.org/newsletter/t...
Records we obtained, reported on by @MotherJones, show the Trump admin plans to expand its national citizenship-check system to include driver’s license and passport data—info that could be used to justify large-scale voter purges, including of eligible voters.
americanoversight.org/demanding-an...
americanoversight.org/demanding-an...
November 15, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Records we obtained, reported on by @MotherJones, show the Trump admin plans to expand its national citizenship-check system to include driver’s license and passport data—info that could be used to justify large-scale voter purges, including of eligible voters.
americanoversight.org/demanding-an...
americanoversight.org/demanding-an...
Top Trump administration officials reportedly told GOP-led states that the FDA is completing a review of two drugs commonly used in medication abortions. We’ve sent FOIA requests to the FDA and HHS for communications and records related to the report.
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
November 14, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Top Trump administration officials reportedly told GOP-led states that the FDA is completing a review of two drugs commonly used in medication abortions. We’ve sent FOIA requests to the FDA and HHS for communications and records related to the report.
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
We obtained shift reports from ICE staff responsible for the detention of immigrants at Guantánamo Bay. One report mentions a “de-escalation of potential pod wide hunger strike/ potential riot.”
Here’s what else we uncovered in the documents.
americanoversight.org/what-records...
Here’s what else we uncovered in the documents.
americanoversight.org/what-records...
What Records Tell Us About How ICE Is Using Guantánamo - American Oversight
Documents we obtained show ICE was not prepared and that detainees — many of whom were not considered a public safety risk — protested bleak conditions.
americanoversight.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
We obtained shift reports from ICE staff responsible for the detention of immigrants at Guantánamo Bay. One report mentions a “de-escalation of potential pod wide hunger strike/ potential riot.”
Here’s what else we uncovered in the documents.
americanoversight.org/what-records...
Here’s what else we uncovered in the documents.
americanoversight.org/what-records...
BIG WIN: We reached a settlement in our lawsuit against the Georgia State Election Board.
The settlement requires members to properly preserve public records of their actions. These are crucial given the Board’s history of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
The settlement requires members to properly preserve public records of their actions. These are crucial given the Board’s history of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
November 13, 2025 at 9:45 PM
BIG WIN: We reached a settlement in our lawsuit against the Georgia State Election Board.
The settlement requires members to properly preserve public records of their actions. These are crucial given the Board’s history of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
The settlement requires members to properly preserve public records of their actions. These are crucial given the Board’s history of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
We obtained records, reported on by the New York Times, that provide details about the Trump administration’s use of Guantánamo Bay to detain immigrants. The documents show bleak conditions and that ICE was unprepared for detainees.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
November 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
We obtained records, reported on by the New York Times, that provide details about the Trump administration’s use of Guantánamo Bay to detain immigrants. The documents show bleak conditions and that ICE was unprepared for detainees.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Donald Trump pardoned a slew of people involved in his attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, including fake electors.
We fought to expose the truth and these pardons can’t erase that. We were the first to obtain the fake elector certificates.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
We fought to expose the truth and these pardons can’t erase that. We were the first to obtain the fake elector certificates.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
November 13, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Donald Trump pardoned a slew of people involved in his attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, including fake electors.
We fought to expose the truth and these pardons can’t erase that. We were the first to obtain the fake elector certificates.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
We fought to expose the truth and these pardons can’t erase that. We were the first to obtain the fake elector certificates.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
As more information comes to light about Donald Trump’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a friendly reminder that we sued the DOJ and FBI for records of interviews with Trump related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
American Oversight Sues DOJ and FBI for Records of Any Trump Interviews in Epstein Investigation - American Oversight
We’re challenging the FBI’s refusal to confirm whether President Trump was interviewed.
americanoversight.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:46 PM
As more information comes to light about Donald Trump’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a friendly reminder that we sued the DOJ and FBI for records of interviews with Trump related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
BIG ACCOUNTABILITY WIN: We reached a settlement in our lawsuit against the Georgia State Election Board. Now members have to properly preserve public records of their actions.
It’s crucial as board members intensify their push of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
It’s crucial as board members intensify their push of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
American Oversight Reaches Settlement in Lawsuit Against Georgia State Election Board - American Oversight
It’s a victory for accountability heading into 2026 as board members intensify their conspiratorial push of anti-voter policies. Our suit led to new safeguards requiring board members to properly…
americanoversight.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:11 PM
BIG ACCOUNTABILITY WIN: We reached a settlement in our lawsuit against the Georgia State Election Board. Now members have to properly preserve public records of their actions.
It’s crucial as board members intensify their push of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
It’s crucial as board members intensify their push of anti-voter policies.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
We obtained documents that provide details about the Trump administration’s use of Guantánamo Bay to detain immigrants. The shift reports show bleak conditions and that ICE was unprepared to handle detainees.
americanoversight.org/what-records...
americanoversight.org/what-records...
What Records Tell Us About How ICE Is Using Guantánamo - American Oversight
Documents we obtained show ICE was not prepared and that detainees — many of whom were not considered a public safety risk — protested bleak conditions.
americanoversight.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:41 PM
We obtained documents that provide details about the Trump administration’s use of Guantánamo Bay to detain immigrants. The shift reports show bleak conditions and that ICE was unprepared to handle detainees.
americanoversight.org/what-records...
americanoversight.org/what-records...
We’ve been trying for 10 months to remove Judge Cannon’s gag order blocking the full release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s mishandling of classified documents.
Last week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
Last week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
American Oversight Applauds Eleventh Circuit for Pressing Judge Cannon to Address Delay in Special Counsel Report Case - American Oversight
Court finds “undue delay,” encourages Cannon to resolve American Oversight’s pending motions within 60 days.
americanoversight.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:58 PM
We’ve been trying for 10 months to remove Judge Cannon’s gag order blocking the full release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s mishandling of classified documents.
Last week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
Last week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
This is the longest shutdown in history, and at least 1.4 million federal employees are going without a paycheck.
Not DOGE employees, though.
The public deserves answers about how the shadowy agency operates. We’re investigating.
americanoversight.org/investigatio...
Not DOGE employees, though.
The public deserves answers about how the shadowy agency operates. We’re investigating.
americanoversight.org/investigatio...
Exposing the Work of Elon Musk and DOGE - American Oversight
Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” the office carrying out the Trump administration’s attacks on the federal government and civil service, has sought to evade transparency laws,…
americanoversight.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
This is the longest shutdown in history, and at least 1.4 million federal employees are going without a paycheck.
Not DOGE employees, though.
The public deserves answers about how the shadowy agency operates. We’re investigating.
americanoversight.org/investigatio...
Not DOGE employees, though.
The public deserves answers about how the shadowy agency operates. We’re investigating.
americanoversight.org/investigatio...
The Trump administration has been using mortgage information from the FHFA to target Trump's enemies. This week, FHFA reportedly removed their acting inspector general.
We’re suing for records to learn more about how Trump is weaponizing this agency.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
We’re suing for records to learn more about how Trump is weaponizing this agency.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
American Oversight Sues FHFA for Records on Weaponization of Agency Against Fed’s Independence, Targeting of Lisa Cook - American Oversight
Our lawsuit seeks transparency as White House campaign to strong-arm the Fed takes an unprecedented turn.
americanoversight.org
November 9, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The Trump administration has been using mortgage information from the FHFA to target Trump's enemies. This week, FHFA reportedly removed their acting inspector general.
We’re suing for records to learn more about how Trump is weaponizing this agency.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
We’re suing for records to learn more about how Trump is weaponizing this agency.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
We launched an investigation into whether the Trump administration is planning to deploy military or ICE personnel to polling places during the 2026 midterms.
If they are, it would risk intimidating voters from exercising their constitutional rights.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
If they are, it would risk intimidating voters from exercising their constitutional rights.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
American Oversight Investigating Potential Trump Administration Plans to Deploy Military, ICE at Polling Places - American Oversight
We filed FOIA requests seeking records on possible 2026 election deployments to intimidate voters.
americanoversight.org
November 9, 2025 at 6:50 PM
We launched an investigation into whether the Trump administration is planning to deploy military or ICE personnel to polling places during the 2026 midterms.
If they are, it would risk intimidating voters from exercising their constitutional rights.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
If they are, it would risk intimidating voters from exercising their constitutional rights.
americanoversight.org/american-ove...
In Aug., DHS told us it hadn’t preserved officials’ texts since April—when it began some of its most controversial actions.
That would be against the law. We sued.
DHS now says it gave us “erroneous” info—but hasn’t confirmed if it’s following the law.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
That would be against the law. We sued.
DHS now says it gave us “erroneous” info—but hasn’t confirmed if it’s following the law.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
DHS Admits It Provided “Erroneous” Information on Texts of Noem and DHS Brass, Hasn’t Confirmed It Followed Law - American Oversight
Thursday, following a court filing in American Oversight’s lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the agency’s initial claim that it failed to preserve the text messages of…
americanoversight.org
November 9, 2025 at 1:30 AM
In Aug., DHS told us it hadn’t preserved officials’ texts since April—when it began some of its most controversial actions.
That would be against the law. We sued.
DHS now says it gave us “erroneous” info—but hasn’t confirmed if it’s following the law.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
That would be against the law. We sued.
DHS now says it gave us “erroneous” info—but hasn’t confirmed if it’s following the law.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
We’ve been trying for 10 months to remove Judge Cannon’s gag order blocking the full release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s mishandling of classified documents.
This week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
This week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
American Oversight Applauds Eleventh Circuit for Pressing Judge Cannon to Address Delay in Special Counsel Report Case - American Oversight
Court finds “undue delay,” encourages Cannon to resolve American Oversight’s pending motions within 60 days.
americanoversight.org
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 PM
We’ve been trying for 10 months to remove Judge Cannon’s gag order blocking the full release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s mishandling of classified documents.
This week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
This week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
ICE is on a recruitment blitz, offering $50,000 signing bonuses and spending millions on ads targeting law enforcement officers.
We asked ICE for communications and strategy documents regarding recruitment as well as ad budgets.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
We asked ICE for communications and strategy documents regarding recruitment as well as ad budgets.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Records Request to ICE for Records Regarding Recruitment Strategy
www.documentcloud.org
November 8, 2025 at 4:15 PM
ICE is on a recruitment blitz, offering $50,000 signing bonuses and spending millions on ads targeting law enforcement officers.
We asked ICE for communications and strategy documents regarding recruitment as well as ad budgets.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
We asked ICE for communications and strategy documents regarding recruitment as well as ad budgets.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
We’ve been trying for 10 months to remove Judge Cannon’s gag order blocking the full release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s mishandling of classified documents.
This week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
This week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
American Oversight Applauds Eleventh Circuit for Pressing Judge Cannon to Address Delay in Special Counsel Report Case - American Oversight
Court finds “undue delay,” encourages Cannon to resolve American Oversight’s pending motions within 60 days.
americanoversight.org
November 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
We’ve been trying for 10 months to remove Judge Cannon’s gag order blocking the full release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s mishandling of classified documents.
This week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
This week, a federal appeals court gave Cannon 60 days to rule.
americanoversight.org/appeals-cour...
In Aug., DHS told us it hadn’t preserved officials’ texts since April—when it began some of its most controversial actions.
That would be against the law. We sued.
DHS now says it gave us “erroneous” info—but hasn’t confirmed if it’s following the law.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
That would be against the law. We sued.
DHS now says it gave us “erroneous” info—but hasn’t confirmed if it’s following the law.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
DHS Admits It Provided “Erroneous” Information on Texts of Noem and DHS Brass, Hasn’t Confirmed It Followed Law - American Oversight
Thursday, following a court filing in American Oversight’s lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the agency’s initial claim that it failed to preserve the text messages of…
americanoversight.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:15 PM
In Aug., DHS told us it hadn’t preserved officials’ texts since April—when it began some of its most controversial actions.
That would be against the law. We sued.
DHS now says it gave us “erroneous” info—but hasn’t confirmed if it’s following the law.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
That would be against the law. We sued.
DHS now says it gave us “erroneous” info—but hasn’t confirmed if it’s following the law.
americanoversight.org/dhs-admits-i...
This week, a court pushed Judge Cannon to move on releasing the full Jack Smith report, DHS admitted it shared "erroneous" info about its text preservation, and another watchdog was removed by Trump, this week at the FHFA.
Learn more in today’s newsletter:
americanoversight.org/newsletter/s...
Learn more in today’s newsletter:
americanoversight.org/newsletter/s...
Seeking Accountability Amid Chaos - American Oversight
More on the ruling pushing Judge Cannon to move on releasing the full Jack Smith report, DHS's backtracking about text preservation, and another watchdog removed by Trump, this week at the FHFA.
americanoversight.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
This week, a court pushed Judge Cannon to move on releasing the full Jack Smith report, DHS admitted it shared "erroneous" info about its text preservation, and another watchdog was removed by Trump, this week at the FHFA.
Learn more in today’s newsletter:
americanoversight.org/newsletter/s...
Learn more in today’s newsletter:
americanoversight.org/newsletter/s...
President Trump declared “Antifa” a terrorist organization this fall, but his administration has not identified the groups it considers members — or explained how it determined their affiliation.
We sent FOIA requests to the DOJ and FBI for more information:
americanoversight.org/featureddocu...
We sent FOIA requests to the DOJ and FBI for more information:
americanoversight.org/featureddocu...
Records Requests to DOJ Regarding Presidential Action “Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization” - American Oversight
Records requests to DOJ for records regarding the presidential action “Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization.”
americanoversight.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:16 PM
President Trump declared “Antifa” a terrorist organization this fall, but his administration has not identified the groups it considers members — or explained how it determined their affiliation.
We sent FOIA requests to the DOJ and FBI for more information:
americanoversight.org/featureddocu...
We sent FOIA requests to the DOJ and FBI for more information:
americanoversight.org/featureddocu...
As part of our lawsuit, DHS revealed it’s relying on officials, including Sec. Noem, to take screenshots to preserve texts.
If you rely on people to manually archive info, "there’s always room for error,” our Exec. Director Chioma Chukwu told @nytimes.com.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
If you rely on people to manually archive info, "there’s always room for error,” our Exec. Director Chioma Chukwu told @nytimes.com.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
To Preserve Records, Homeland Security Now Relies on Officials to Take Screenshots
Experts say the new policy, which ditches software that automatically captured text messages, opens ample room for both willful and unwitting noncompliance with federal records laws.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:12 PM
As part of our lawsuit, DHS revealed it’s relying on officials, including Sec. Noem, to take screenshots to preserve texts.
If you rely on people to manually archive info, "there’s always room for error,” our Exec. Director Chioma Chukwu told @nytimes.com.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
If you rely on people to manually archive info, "there’s always room for error,” our Exec. Director Chioma Chukwu told @nytimes.com.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...