The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) lack of transparency and accountability has been on full display in recent weeks. Despite receiving multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the agency has consistently claimed that it does not have any records to share. This is a concerning trend that raises serious questions about DHS's commitment to open government.
For example, when The Intercept requested all emails sent or received by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem containing the terms "CNN" and "ICEBlock," the agency responded that it could not find any relevant documents. However, Noem had publicly stated that she was in communication with Attorney General Pam Bondi about prosecuting CNN for reporting on ICEBlock, a crowdsourced application that tracks ICE sightings.
This lack of transparency is not limited to DHS. The Secret Service has also been uncooperative, claiming that it does not have any records related to a request for the Trump administration's efforts to raise the water level of an Ohio river to ensure JD Vance had a nice kayaking trip. This claim is particularly suspicious given the agency's public acknowledgment of coordinating with the Army Corps of Engineers about Vance's trip.
Furthermore, ICE has refused to turn over body camera footage from its Chicago immigration enforcement operation, citing a court order that did not require agents who didn't already have cameras to obtain them. However, the possibility exists that ICE agents in Chicago who did not already have body cameras were entirely exempt from the judge's order.
These incidents highlight a broader problem with government transparency and accountability. When agencies fail to provide records or information in response to FOIA requests, it can create a chilling effect on the media and the public, making it more difficult for them to hold those in power accountable.
The Intercept has long been committed to fighting against these kinds of abuses of power. We will continue to investigate and report on these incidents, as well as other issues that affect the integrity of our government. To do this effectively, we need your support. Will you help us expand our reporting capacity in time to hit the ground running in 2026?
For example, when The Intercept requested all emails sent or received by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem containing the terms "CNN" and "ICEBlock," the agency responded that it could not find any relevant documents. However, Noem had publicly stated that she was in communication with Attorney General Pam Bondi about prosecuting CNN for reporting on ICEBlock, a crowdsourced application that tracks ICE sightings.
This lack of transparency is not limited to DHS. The Secret Service has also been uncooperative, claiming that it does not have any records related to a request for the Trump administration's efforts to raise the water level of an Ohio river to ensure JD Vance had a nice kayaking trip. This claim is particularly suspicious given the agency's public acknowledgment of coordinating with the Army Corps of Engineers about Vance's trip.
Furthermore, ICE has refused to turn over body camera footage from its Chicago immigration enforcement operation, citing a court order that did not require agents who didn't already have cameras to obtain them. However, the possibility exists that ICE agents in Chicago who did not already have body cameras were entirely exempt from the judge's order.
These incidents highlight a broader problem with government transparency and accountability. When agencies fail to provide records or information in response to FOIA requests, it can create a chilling effect on the media and the public, making it more difficult for them to hold those in power accountable.
The Intercept has long been committed to fighting against these kinds of abuses of power. We will continue to investigate and report on these incidents, as well as other issues that affect the integrity of our government. To do this effectively, we need your support. Will you help us expand our reporting capacity in time to hit the ground running in 2026?
! I mean, can't they just be transparent about what's going on? It's like they're hiding something. I remember this one story where my brother worked at a government agency and he had to sign this huge confidentiality agreement before he could even get access to some basic info. And when he asked for it, the agency claimed it was all classified...like, what even is that?
This is getting outta hand... DHS & other agencies gotta be more transparent about what's goin' down. Can't have a free press just disappear on FOIA requests... 
that's when problems start 
. and it's not just DHS, the whole system is messed up 
. I mean, can you believe ICE refused to turn over body cam footage? 
. if we want a better gov't, we need transparency and accountability now 
. let's get the word out and support The Intercept so they can keep pushing for truth 
I mean, DHS is basically playing a game of "I don't know what you're talking about" and it's getting old. Like, seriously, if the Secretary is on the phone with someone at CNN about ICEBlock, shouldn't she have any records to show for it? 
It's not like this is some top-secret stuff that can't be shared... unless they're trying to hide something. 
I mean, come on guys, we're not born yesterday! It's time for these agencies to step up and be transparent, you know? Transparency matters, folks! 
. I mean, come on, if you've got nothing to hide, why not just open up? 
This lack of transparency is creating a major chill factor for journalists & the public who wanna know what's really going down behind closed doors 
. That's some serious #transparencyfail right there! The fact that they're citing a court order as an excuse, but still refusing to provide the info, is just ridiculous 
. Let's keep pushing for change & making sure that gov't stays accountable to the people 
. Can you imagine if we had a more transparent gov't? It would be like a breath of fresh air 
!
. The lack of transparency is not just an inconvenience; it erodes trust in our institutions and undermines the very foundations of democratic accountability 
. And don't even get me started on ICE and their body cam footage 
. I mean, if it's already public knowledge, why not just cough up the deets?! 
, but we need to be the ones finding out who's hiding what! 
. They're like the good guys in this game, fighting for truth and accountability. We need more of that, not less 
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It's crazy! They need to be held accountable, like, now. We gotta make sure these agencies are transparent and not hiding anythin' 
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But seriously, this is a huge problem and it needs to be addressed ASAP. We need more accountability and transparency in our government, especially when it comes to issues like immigration and law enforcement. 
And what's up with ICE refusing to turn over body camera footage? That's some shady stuff. We need more accountability in our government 
. also can anyone explain why the government is being so super secretive about this ohio river thing tho?