Protect the Public’s Trust v. U.S. Department of State

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit was filed in the federal district court for the District of Columbia to compel the U.S. Department of State to disclose meeting requests and communications involving a senior advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. The plaintiff alleged that release of the documents was in the public interest because the documents would “give the public greater insight into the energy and climate priorities of the federal government at a time when high energy prices and inflation are prominent kitchen table concerns.” The plaintiff also alleged that release of the documents would “contribute to the public’s understanding of the role of the newly formed Special Envoy for Climate Change, as well as how high-ranking officials within the Department are approaching compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations regarding foreign policy-making determinations, disclosures of work on behalf of foreign entities, and potential conflicts of interest.”