Thread by @JasonLeopold

THREAD: A #COVID19 #FOIAFriday story

SIX yrs ago, I filed a #FOIA request w/DIA for docs related to Michael Flynn's tenure as head of the agency

DIA failed to respond to my request for 3 yrs. In June 2017, DIA sent me a letter: they were withholding docs b/c Mueller probe

1/

A year ago, I refiled the request and then sued DIA for the Flynn docs. During the course of litigation, we discovered DIA never even initiated a search for docs. We ultimately got them to do that and late last year agreed on a production schedule.

2/

DIA was supposed to produce the Flynn documents to me on Monday. Yesterday, the govt attorney in the case reached out and said b/c of #coronavirus the agency would not meet the March 30 production deadline. The pandemic has impacted their FOIA operations.

3/

While this is by no means critical compared with life and death issues associated with the #coronavirus that rightfully should take precedent, I highlight this as another example of how #FOIA is impacted.

4/

Transparency is still crucial and the #FOIA is more important than ever.

Additionally, govt agencies have said FOR YEARS they dont have enough resources to reduce their backlogs or enough staff to process FOIA requests.

Outrageous $ was not earmarked for #FOIA this week

5/5