Public Comment Submitted by William Fernandes on July 3, 2025

To Whom It May Concern:

I am submitting this public comment pursuant to the authority vested in NARA 
under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Federal Records Act, in 
order to formally report ongoing deficiencies and potential misconduct at the 
Department of Justice Office of Information Policy (DOJ OIP), particularly in 
relation to the administration of its FOIA operations via email and the FOIA 
portal.

Specifically, the DOJ.OIP.FOIA@usdoj.gov email account has exhibited systemic 
failures in timely acknowledging and processing requests and related 
communications. In addition, there have been persistent administrative 
problems with ancillary tasks such as resetting passwords for the FOIA 
portal, which effectively prevent requesters from accessing or managing their 
submissions. These seemingly minor administrative failures have functionally 
resulted in obstruction of access to public records—particularly 
significant given the increased public scrutiny and transparency expectations 
under the current administration.

Within the past 60 days, formal complaints were submitted to both the DOJ 
Office of the Inspector General (OIG Hotline) and the DOJ Office of 
Professional Responsibility (OPR), citing dereliction of fiduciary duties by 
FOIA analysts and staff. These complaints allege that the delays and lack of 
responsiveness may rise to the level of constructive denial of access, and 
potentially implicate broader concerns of intentional delay or concealment.

This comment is being submitted to ensure the issue is memorialized within 
NARA's oversight jurisdiction and to urge the Archivist to consider the 
systemic implications for federal recordkeeping obligations, public access 
rights, and the integrity of FOIA administration.

William Fernandes
Open Government Project with ChatGpt