A judge signaled on Friday that the Department of Government Efficiency could be subject to public records laws after a watchdog organization accused DOGE in a lawsuit of operating as a “black box” agency that was improperly withholding information.

Judge Christopher Cooper said in a hearing he will “likely” include in a forthcoming order a stipulation that DOGE preserve all its records. Cooper said he would issue the order soon and that DOGE should begin saving its records immediately in the event he decides DOGE must hand over communications, ethics documents, and other nonpublic information.