American Oversight’s fight to uncover the truth about President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine took a major step forward today. A federal judge said that he will order the State Department to begin producing within 30 days Ukraine-related documents requested by American Oversight.

"Despite the ongoing obstruction of Congress, the Trump administration will now have to start releasing records concerning its dealings with Ukraine,” said Austin Evers, American Oversight’s executive director. “This is an important victory for the American people’s right to know the facts about Ukraine, and it is a major setback for the White House’s stonewalling."

AP: Judge tells State Dept. to begin producing Ukraine records

CNN: Judge orders State Department to release Ukraine records in 30 days

Bloomberg: Trump Administration Given Deadline to Release Ukraine Documents 

American Oversight is investigating the Trump administration’s contacts with Ukraine and attempts to push a foreign government to interfere in the 2020 election. Earlier this month, we sued the State Department for records related to efforts by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani to pressure the Ukrainian government to open a politically motivated investigation, as well as for records related to the recall of Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.

Given the urgency of the public’s need for information as the House’s impeachment inquiry moves forward, we also asked for a preliminary injunction to compel the government to immediately begin processing and releasing documents. 

On Wednesday, Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia held a hearing on our emergency motion seeking the release of records. In the hearing, the judge instructed the State Department to work with American Oversight to identify records that can be released and to begin producing documents within 30 days.

The Trump administration’s constant obstruction of congressional oversight requests has continued throughout the House’s ongoing impeachment investigation, with the White House having ordered administration officials not to comply with subpoena requests from the relevant House committees. But even if Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to continue this obstruction, the judge's directive today ensures that the public will begin to see the paper trail of the administration’s dealings with Ukraine.

"The court recognized the importance of these documents and the need for the State Department to rapidly release them, and American Oversight will continue fighting to make sure the truth comes out," continued Evers.

American Oversight has submitted more than 50 Freedom of Information Act requests to multiple federal agencies seeking documents related to the Trump administration’s efforts to pressure Ukraine. More details on American Oversight’s investigation and lawsuits can be found here.