Protect the Public’s Trust v. U.S. Agency for International Development

Protect the Public’s Trust, which described itself as “an unincorporated association of retired and former public servants and concerned citizens that is dedicated to restoring public trust in government by promoting the fair and equal application of the rules and standards of ethical conduct to all public servants,” filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) seeking to compel disclosure of records concerning USAID employees’ in-person or remote attendance at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). The plaintiff alleged that disclosure of the records would “help the public understand how much money and other resources were spent to participate in the COP26 Conference and whether Department officials acted consistent with applicable laws and regulations in participating in the COP26 Conference.” The lawsuit also concerns a separate FOIA request for records concerning USAID Administrator Samantha Power.