Judge Allows Release of Deposition Videos of Former DOGE Staffers

Ruling cites public interest in transparency over privacy concerns of ex-officials

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A federal judge has ruled that deposition videos of two former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers can be released, despite the Justice Department's arguments that the former officials faced threats due to the videos. The judge said the public interest in transparency and accountability around the conduct of public officials outweighed the risk of "embarrassment and reputational harm" to the ex-staffers.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between government transparency and privacy concerns, as well as the challenges of controlling the spread of information in the digital age. The release of these videos could shed light on the decision-making process behind controversial funding cuts to humanities programs under the Trump administration.

The details

The deposition videos show former DOGE staffers Justin Fox and Nate Cavanaugh being questioned about their role in cutting more than $100 million in humanities grants. The staffers acknowledged using keywords related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and the AI chatbot ChatGPT to identify grants to eliminate, despite the impact on people's livelihoods. The Justice Department had argued the videos should be removed due to threats against the ex-officials, but the judge ruled the public interest outweighed privacy concerns since the videos documented the conduct of public employees.

  • The deposition videos were initially released as part of an ongoing civil lawsuit related to the funding cuts carried out by DOGE.
  • 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 staffer at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) who was questioned in the deposition videos.

Nate Cavanaugh

A former staffer at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) who was questioned in the deposition videos.

Joy Connolly

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

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States whose efforts to trim the size of the federal government led to the funding cuts by DOGE that are the subject of the lawsuit.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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

“You don't regret that people might have lost important income ... to support their lives?”

— Attorney

“No. I think it was more important to reduce the federal deficit from $2 trillion to close to zero.”

— DOGE Staffer

“Did you reduce the federal deficit?”

— Attorney

“No, we didn't.”

— DOGE Staffer

What’s next

The judge's ruling allows the deposition videos to remain publicly available, despite the Justice Department's efforts to have them removed. This decision is likely to face further legal challenges as the broader civil lawsuit over the DOGE funding cuts continues.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of government transparency, even when it involves potentially embarrassing revelations about public officials. The judge's ruling affirms that the public's right to know about the conduct of their elected representatives outweighs individual privacy concerns, especially when it comes to the use of taxpayer funds.