AntifaUSA.org

When The Government Lies

AntifaUSA.org

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Anyone who has ever been cheated on knows that a lie by omission is STILL A LIE.

According to an article in The Philadelphia Citizen, ​In early 2025, President Donald Trump’s administration issued executive orders to remove diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and climate change-related language from federal agency websites. This led to the deletion of hundreds of pages from sites like the Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health, Department of Justice, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Fortunately, PolicyMap, a Philadelphia-based benefit corporation, has preserved much of this data. PolicyMap collects both private and public datasets, creating accessible maps and visualizations. Their platform serves as a crucial resource for researchers, policymakers, and the public seeking information that has been removed from official government websites.

The removal of these datasets has raised concerns among data experts and the public. The Association of Public Data Users emphasized that federal agencies are mandated to produce and disseminate credible, accurate, and objective data. They highlighted that such data supports various sectors in the U.S., from community clinics to Wall Street, facilitating informed decision-making.

Citizens are encouraged to contact their federal representatives to advocate for the restoration of these crucial datasets. Engaging with policymakers can help ensure transparency and accessibility of public information.

We know why Trump is doing this; to perpetuate the fear and chaos, to lie to citizens, to obscure the truth, and to cause a commotion that provides space for his other dastardly deeds. But is he breaking any laws? Of course he is.

1. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

  • FOIA (5 U.S.C. § 552) requires federal agencies to make government records available to the public unless they fall under specific exemptions (e.g., national security, personal privacy).
  • If Trump’s administration is deliberately deleting or withholding non-exempt public information, it could be a violation of FOIA.

2. The Federal Records Act (FRA)

  • The FRA (44 U.S.C. Chapters 31 & 33) mandates that government agencies must preserve records that document official policies, decisions, and essential public information.
  • Deleting or altering government websites to remove factual data could violate this law if it results in the destruction of public records.

3. The Data Quality Act (DQA)

  • The DQA (also called the Information Quality Act) requires federal agencies to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of the information they disseminate.
  • If data is being manipulated, removed, or altered without justification, the government could be violating this law.

4. The Presidential Records Act (PRA)

  • The PRA (44 U.S.C. Chapter 22) requires the preservation of all presidential communications and records.
  • If Trump is directing agencies to delete data to avoid transparency, it could constitute a violation.

What Can Be Done?

Citizens do have a legal right to access this information. However, enforcement depends on lawsuits, whistleblowers, and public pressure. Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) often file lawsuits in cases of mass data removal.

​Several watchdog groups and legal organizations have initiated lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s actions related to data deletion and access to personal information. Notable examples include:​

  • Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF): Filed a lawsuit against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to prevent DOGE from accessing private information of millions of Americans and to delete any data already collected. ​Electronic Frontier Foundation+1Electronic Frontier Foundation+1
  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with over 40 federal agencies concerning data removal and has initiated multiple legal actions against the Trump administration, including challenges to policies affecting immigrants’ rights. ​Tom’s Guide
  • Government Accountability Groups: Organizations like Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) have sued DOGE for refusing to comply with public records requests, arguing that DOGE is unlawfully operating without transparency. ​CBS News+2Law & Crime+2Law & Crime+2
  • Doctors for America: A medical advocacy group filed a lawsuit against health agencies after the removal of critical health data from government websites, asserting that such actions hinder effective patient care and public health management. ​Politico+1AP News+1

These legal actions aim to ensure government transparency, protect citizens’ privacy rights, and maintain access to essential public information.​

What can citizens do?

If the government is deleting public records, censoring journalists, and consolidating power unlawfully, citizens still have options to resist and protect access to information. Here are concrete steps people can take:

1. Preserve and Share Information

  • Download and Archive: Save important government data, reports, and articles before they disappear. The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine is a tool that stores snapshots of web pages. They’re funded by donations. You can donate
  • Decentralized Storage: Use tools like IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) to distribute files in a way that can’t be easily erased.
  • Create Private Backups: Keep local copies of essential documents on secure, encrypted drives. If you have multiple cloud storage accounts, you’ll want to ensure they’re backed up to IRL servers in multiple geographic regions, in the event that a data center is compromised, either by natural disasters or acts of war

2. Support Independent Journalism and Whistleblowers

3. Take Legal and Political Action

  • Contact Congress: Demand your representatives fight for data transparency and investigate abuses. Find your reps at USA.gov.
  • File FOIA Requests: Individuals can request government documents at FOIA.gov.
  • Support Lawsuits: Organizations like the ACLU, EFF, and CREW are suing to restore data and challenge overreach—donating or volunteering helps.
  • Attend Town Halls and Protests: Peaceful demonstrations raise awareness and show public resistance.

4. Protect Yourself Online

  • Use Encrypted Browsers and VPNs: Protect your identity with secure browsers like Tor and VPNs like Mullvad.
  • Avoid Censored Platforms: Since Meta (Facebook, Instagram) and Twitter are silencing dissent, move discussions to Mastodon, Discord, or other decentralized platforms.
  • Beware of Misinformation: Bad actors spread false narratives, it’s much easier to become a bad actor than it is to spot one—verify sources before sharing otherwise you’re just as bad as (Fox) Faux news..

5. Build Local and Underground Networks

  • Form Community Alliances: Connect with like-minded people to share information offline.
  • Print and Distribute Uncensored News: If digital platforms are censored, print newsletters, zines, or flyers to share verified information.(Most of the content on AntifaUSA.org is designed to be printed, and is written at a 5th grade level for universal understandability
  • Support Mutual Aid Groups: If government institutions become unreliable, communities must organize to help each other.

This is not a time for passive observation—citizens must actively resist information suppression.

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