New: Records we uncovered detail white supremacist incidents reported within the military. In many cases, the Navy quietly separated members who committed acts of white supremacy from their ranks without imposing lasting consequences. americanoversight.org/records-from-n…
The documents include information on seven incidents of racist extremism in the Coast Guard from 2018 to 2020 as well as a 2008 Navy investigation of a white supremacist group within the Marine Corps called the “RRR.”
Members of the RRR gave themselves matching brandings signifying their commitment to the “brotherhood,” which according to the documents were “acknowledged by members of the group to represent ‘white power’ and a hateful view toward African-Americans.”
The RRR’s six members were transferred out of the unit for administrative separation processing in Dec. 2008. This is different from facing a court-martial, which is the only way members can face a punitive discharge.
New Coast Guard documents detail reports of Coast Guardsmen displaying and espousing white supremacist ideologies with hand symbols, in internet chat rooms, and through physical attacks on other branch members.
Information provided in a few of the cases shows that some investigations concluded after members agreed to stop seeking out extremist content online.
White supremacy in the military is a long-standing issue that has recently garnered significant national attention in part because of the extremely high prevalence of former service members who participated in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
We previously received responses to our FOIA requests and records that illustrate how branches of the military are not adequately tracking incidents of white supremacy within their ranks. americanoversight.org/the-u-s-milita…
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New: Last December, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s team drafted a press release highlighting his 2020 accomplishments. The edits to the document we obtained show his team deleted mentions of Covid-19 safety measures, including encouraging people to wear masks.
DeSantis’s team deleted mention of Covid-19 precautions, including ordering long-term care facility staff to submit to testing every two weeks and imposing visitation limitations during the height of the pandemic. americanoversight.org/document/flori…
His team also deleted mention of Covid-19 prevention measures: “Urged all Floridians, especially the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, to social distance, wear facial coverings and practice good hand hygiene to minimize risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus.”
NEW LAWSUIT: We’ve been investigating white supremacy in the military. We asked the National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard for records that could shed light on any white supremacist incidents. Now, we’re suing to compel the release of the records.
White supremacy in the military is a long-standing issue that has recently garnered significant national attention in part because of the extremely high prevalence of former service members who participated in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
We previously received responses to our FOIA requests and records that illustrate how branches of the military are not adequately tracking incidents of white supremacy within their ranks.
In August, Mike Lindell, the election conspiracy promoter and CEO of MyPillow, held a “Cyber Symposium” in Sioux Falls, S.D. We have submitted public records requests to investigate state legislators that attended Lindell’s event.
Lindell claimed the “symposium” would prove his outlandish claims about the 2020 election. But once again, no evidence was presented to back up the “Big Lie” that the election was marked by widespread voter fraud. washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/…
That didn’t stop several state legislators and officials from attending, and even participating in, Lindell’s “symposium.” For example, Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers, state Sen. Sonny Borrelli, and state Rep. Mark Finchem spoke on a panel. pinalcentral.com/maricopa_monit…
NEW LAWSUIT: We’re suing the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for records on the deaths of individuals held in the custody of immigration authorities. americanoversight.org/american-overs…
Five people have died in the custody of ICE since the beginning of 2021. Documents we previously uncovered through litigation revealed troubling details and alarming failures in care leading up to the deaths of several asylum-seekers in 2018. americanoversight.org/american-overs…
We filed a set of FOIAs seeking records related to deaths in federal immigration custody from 2018 through 2020. DHS and ICE have failed to release the requested records as required by law, so we’re going to court to compel the release of these records. americanoversight.org/document/ameri…
In May, we FOIA’d the SEC for records concerning a purchase of $54 million in Oshkosh shares the day before USPS publicly announced that it awarded Oshkosh a contract potentially worth $6 billion.
Then the SEC told us it is withholding the responsive records in full.
In March, USPS announced it awarded a contract potentially worth $6 billion to Oshkosh Defense to redesign & manufacture its mail truck fleet. But the day before it was announced, an “unknown party” purchased $54 million in Oshkosh shares.
We asked the SEC for records reflecting any summaries, memoranda, analyses, directives, or guidance concerning the purchase of Oshkosh stocks. americanoversight.org/document/foia-…
We reached a landmark settlement with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office regarding its open records policy.
The settlement is a huge win for transparency and accountability. It will benefit all public records requesters — and the greater public. #FOIAFriday
In Oct. 2020, we sued Georgia’s Office of the Secretary of State for repeatedly stonewalling our records requests. After more than a year of litigation, we have reached a settlement. The office has agreed to steps to streamline the process of requesting and obtaining records.
The settlement will enhance public access to government records, requiring the secretary’s office to improve training for staff and to provide requesters with better information about costs, timeline estimates, and the status of their requests. americanoversight.org/american-overs…