Democracy Forward Sues Federal Agencies Over Trump's AI-Driven Deregulation
A legal battle unfolds as Democracy Forward, a nonprofit group, sues several federal agencies for information on the use of AI in the Trump administration's deregulation efforts. The lawsuit follows the General Services Administration's (GSA) launch of the USAi tool and the alleged use of an AI tool called SweetREX to review and eliminate federal regulations.
Democracy Forward, led by Skye Perryman, argues that AI should supplement, not replace, civil service professionals. The group filed Freedom of Information Act requests in June and July, seeking details on the development and use of AI tools within the GSA and other agencies. However, the government failed to respond within the legally required timeframe.
The GSA's USAi tool, launched in August, allows agencies to test AI models before procurement. Despite requests, it remains unclear who developed the tool within the GSA. An email from a GSA-affiliated account revealed progress in reviewing policies, with over 36 policies rescinded or revised, eliminating or revising 100,286 words of regulation. The email also mentioned an AI tool called SweetREX, developed by an affiliate of the Department of Government Efficiency, which is reported to review and flag regulations for elimination.
The lawsuit names the GSA, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, and Department of Housing and Urban Development as defendants. A GSA spokesperson declined to comment on the active lawsuit, while other agencies did not respond or cited the government shutdown.
The lawsuit seeks to shed light on the Trump administration's use of AI in its deregulation agenda. Democracy Forward alleges that the GSA plays a central role in these efforts. As the legal process unfolds, the public awaits clarity on the development, use, and impact of AI tools within federal agencies.
