Judge Allows Release of Deposition Videos of Former DOGE Staffers

Ruling cites public interest in transparency over staffers' 'embarrassment and reputational harm'

Mar. 24, 2026 at 1:20am

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A federal judge has ruled that deposition videos of two former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers can be released, despite the staffers facing threats. The judge said the public interest in transparency and accountability around the conduct of public officials outweighs the risk of 'embarrassment and reputational harm' to the former staffers.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing debate around balancing public access to information about government operations and the privacy concerns of public officials. The judge's decision affirms the principle that the public has a right to know about the actions of government employees, even if those actions may be embarrassing or harmful to their reputations.

The details

The deposition videos show the former DOGE staffers, Justin Fox and Nate Cavanaugh, being questioned about their push to cut more than $100 million in humanities grants. The staffers acknowledged using DEI keywords and ChatGPT to identify grants to eliminate, despite admitting they did not actually reduce the federal deficit as intended.

  • On March 24, 2026, a federal judge ruled to allow the release of the deposition videos.

The players

Colleen McMahon

A U.S. District Judge who ruled to allow the release of the deposition videos.

Justin Fox

A former DOGE staffer who was questioned in the deposition videos about cutting humanities grants.

Nate Cavanaugh

A former DOGE staffer who was questioned in the deposition videos about cutting humanities grants.

Joy Connolly

The president of the American Council of Learned Societies, one of the nonprofits that released the deposition videos.

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What they’re saying

“Here, the testimony in the videos concerns the conduct of public officials acting in their official capacities — a context in which the public interest in transparency and accountability is at its apex.”

— Colleen McMahon, U.S. District Judge

“This decision validates our position that the publication of the videos, which document a process to destroy knowledge and access to vital public programs, was indeed in the public's interest.”

— Joy Connolly, President, American Council of Learned Societies

What’s next

The former DOGE staffers may appeal the judge's decision to allow the release of the deposition videos.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing tension between government transparency and the privacy concerns of public officials. The judge's ruling affirms the principle that the public has a right to know about the actions of government employees, even if those actions may be embarrassing or harmful to their reputations.