Judge Barrett Meeting (September 21st)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. All conversations that were recorded by secret service agents assigned to President Trump or technology that had the ability to record conversations that were in direct contact with Donald J. Trump on September 21, 2020
2. All available transcripts of conversations made by Donald J. Trump on September 21, 2020
3. All communications through electronic means (including but not limited to email, IM, secure communication lines) between secret service members that were assigned to President Trump on September 21, 2020 that contained the following key words and phrases: “nomination”, “Judge Barrett”, and “Amy Coney Barrett”
4. All transcripts and audio recordings from technology that is in the White House and is operated and maintained by the US Secret Service from the date September 21, 2020
Fee Waiver:
1. The requested records concerns “the operations or activities of the government”. This is since these records pertain to the ongoing protection of the president. Also, the records will pertain to the existing structure of the United States government. This is since pursuant to Article II of the United States constitution that the president shall nominate justices to the court that will be confirmed by the advice and consent of the senate.
2. The subject matter of this request is in relation to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. It was reported by various news outlets that on September 21st that President Trump met with Judge Amy Coney Barrett based on information provided by people familiar with said meeting (see websites listed below this request). The records requested will give clear insight into what was said during the meeting. Currently, there is no information available that shows what was stated during the private meeting between the president and Judge Amy Coney Barrett. This is likely to contribute to the understanding of the nomination by the president that occurred on September 26th at 5:00 PM. This is since the audio recording, transcripts, or communications between secret service agents will show what was said and provide a determination as to whether the president might have stated anything that could affect the nomination process or rulings made by Judge Amy Coney Barrett. President Trump has stated that it is important that there be nine justices on the bench to rule on things like a contested election or repealing the affordable care act (see websites listed below this request). By talking to a potential nominee regarding possible pending cases can be of grave concern to the American public and show that such decisions that could be made wouldn’t be impartial as justices are expected to be.
3. The records requested would be of interest to the American public as a whole and Congress as well. This is since presently there has been a rough timeline that has been shown regarding the nomination process of Judge Amy Coney Barrett (see websites listed below this request). There has also been a poll that has shown that a majority of Americans wish that the president elected on November 3rd nominate the Supreme Court justice to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg (see websites below this request). Also, due to the recent passing of RBG, there has been Americans that have payed their respects and stated that the final wish of RBG be honored based on what was said to a close family member before passing (see websites below request). Due to the speed and contention over this nomination, the overwhelming interest of what was said between the president and Judge Amy Coney Barrett will be essential to make sure that this nomination was fair and no unethical comments were made by the president or Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
The records will be made readily available on Muckrock that has received visitors over the past several years. The records will also be disseminated to various reputable news outlets to make sure that the records is readily available to all Americans. Lastly, said records will be delivered to the attention of the judiciary committee in the senate in order to include as evidence during the confirmation hearings.
4. There is little information regarding the meeting that was held between President Trump and Judge Amy Coney Barrett. The records requested will be significant as it will obtain valuable information of a conversation between the president and the nomination to the United States Supreme Court.
Expedited processing:
1. There is a compelling and ongoing need to receive these records as expeditiously as possible. There is an ongoing urgency to inform the American public of the meeting that took place between President Trump and Amy Coney Barrett. I am not a member of the news media however I am submitting this request through a platform (Muckrock.com), whose primary purpose is to disseminate information. As such, the mode of disseminating information is valid as meeting the first prong for being “primarily engaged in disseminating information”.
2. The records concerns a matter of current exigency to the American public. This is since various news outlets have reported on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett since the Friday when Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away. Also, the timeline for confirming the nominee is expected to be made shorter which will limit the review of documents and the records requested will provide invaluable insight to Congress and the American public. Lastly, a majority of Americans have stated that it would be best for the elected president to choose the nominee.
3. The records requested will compromise a significant interest if not released expeditiously. Currently, there is a set timeline for the confirmation of the stated nominee. If the records are not released in time, the American public will not be able to have a comprehensive review of the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett and the possibility of unethical comments made by the nominee or President Trump. Also, this will be important for Congress to review and assess in order to make sure that the judge will not enter the Supreme Court with any bias on cases that have been stated by President Trump.
4. The records requested concerns the operation of the government. This is since it will provide crucial information on a meeting that took place between two officials in government. Also, nominating a Supreme Court justice and the process in and of itself is a critical activity of the federal government as it is the interaction between the executive and judicial branch.
Links stated in request:
1. https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/5859016002
2. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/517471-trump-meets-with-potential-supreme-court-pick-amy-coney-barrett-at?amp
3. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Tweeted:
Obamacare will be replaced with a MUCH better, and FAR cheaper, alternative if it is terminated in the Supreme Court. Would be a big WIN for the USA!
4. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/elections/trump-supreme-court-election-day.html
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/technology/trump-jump-starts-misinformation-on-ginsburgs-dying-wish.html
6. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-supreme-court-ginsburg-trump-biden/2020/09/25/0f634e6c-fe6a-11ea-8d05-9beaaa91c71f_story.html

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Carlos Gamez

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. All conversations that were recorded by secret service agents assigned to President Trump or technology that had the ability to record conversations that were in direct contact with Donald J. Trump on September 21, 2020
2. All available transcripts of conversations made by Donald J. Trump on September 21, 2020
3. All communications through electronic means (including but not limited to email, IM, secure communication lines) between secret service members that were assigned to President Trump on September 21, 2020 that contained the following key words and phrases: “nomination”, “Judge Barrett”, and “Amy Coney Barrett”
4. All transcripts and audio recordings from technology that is in the White House and is operated and maintained by the US Secret Service from the date September 21, 2020
Fee Waiver:
1. The requested records concerns “the operations or activities of the government”. This is since these records pertain to the ongoing protection of the president. Also, the records will pertain to the existing structure of the United States government. This is since pursuant to Article II of the United States constitution that the president shall nominate justices to the court that will be confirmed by the advice and consent of the senate.
2. The subject matter of this request is in relation to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. It was reported by various news outlets that on September 21st that President Trump met with Judge Amy Coney Barrett based on information provided by people familiar with said meeting (see websites listed below this request). The records requested will give clear insight into what was said during the meeting. Currently, there is no information available that shows what was stated during the private meeting between the president and Judge Amy Coney Barrett. This is likely to contribute to the understanding of the nomination by the president that occurred on September 26th at 5:00 PM. This is since the audio recording, transcripts, or communications between secret service agents will show what was said and provide a determination as to whether the president might have stated anything that could affect the nomination process or rulings made by Judge Amy Coney Barrett. President Trump has stated that it is important that there be nine justices on the bench to rule on things like a contested election or repealing the affordable care act (see websites listed below this request). By talking to a potential nominee regarding possible pending cases can be of grave concern to the American public and show that such decisions that could be made wouldn’t be impartial as justices are expected to be.
3. The records requested would be of interest to the American public as a whole and Congress as well. This is since presently there has been a rough timeline that has been shown regarding the nomination process of Judge Amy Coney Barrett (see websites listed below this request). There has also been a poll that has shown that a majority of Americans wish that the president elected on November 3rd nominate the Supreme Court justice to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg (see websites below this request). Also, due to the recent passing of RBG, there has been Americans that have payed their respects and stated that the final wish of RBG be honored based on what was said to a close family member before passing (see websites below request). Due to the speed and contention over this nomination, the overwhelming interest of what was said between the president and Judge Amy Coney Barrett will be essential to make sure that this nomination was fair and no unethical comments were made by the president or Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
The records will be made readily available on Muckrock that has received visitors over the past several years. The records will also be disseminated to various reputable news outlets to make sure that the records is readily available to all Americans. Lastly, said records will be delivered to the attention of the judiciary committee in the senate in order to include as evidence during the confirmation hearings.
4. There is little information regarding the meeting that was held between President Trump and Judge Amy Coney Barrett. The records requested will be significant as it will obtain valuable information of a conversation between the president and the nomination to the United States Supreme Court.
Expedited processing:
1. There is a compelling and ongoing need to receive these records as expeditiously as possible. There is an ongoing urgency to inform the American public of the meeting that took place between President Trump and Amy Coney Barrett. I am not a member of the news media however I am submitting this request through a platform (Muckrock.com), whose primary purpose is to disseminate information. As such, the mode of disseminating information is valid as meeting the first prong for being “primarily engaged in disseminating information”.
2. The records concerns a matter of current exigency to the American public. This is since various news outlets have reported on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett since the Friday when Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away. Also, the timeline for confirming the nominee is expected to be made shorter which will limit the review of documents and the records requested will provide invaluable insight to Congress and the American public. Lastly, a majority of Americans have stated that it would be best for the elected president to choose the nominee.
3. The records requested will compromise a significant interest if not released expeditiously. Currently, there is a set timeline for the confirmation of the stated nominee. If the records are not released in time, the American public will not be able to have a comprehensive review of the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett and the possibility of unethical comments made by the nominee or President Trump. Also, this will be important for Congress to review and assess in order to make sure that the judge will not enter the Supreme Court with any bias on cases that have been stated by President Trump.
4. The records requested concerns the operation of the government. This is since it will provide crucial information on a meeting that took place between two officials in government. Also, nominating a Supreme Court justice and the process in and of itself is a critical activity of the federal government as it is the interaction between the executive and judicial branch.
Links stated in request:
1. https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/5859016002
2. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/517471-trump-meets-with-potential-supreme-court-pick-amy-coney-barrett-at?amp
3. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Tweeted:
Obamacare will be replaced with a MUCH better, and FAR cheaper, alternative if it is terminated in the Supreme Court. Would be a big WIN for the USA!
4. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/elections/trump-supreme-court-election-day.html
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/technology/trump-jump-starts-misinformation-on-ginsburgs-dying-wish.html
6. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-supreme-court-ginsburg-trump-biden/2020/09/25/0f634e6c-fe6a-11ea-8d05-9beaaa91c71f_story.html

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Carlos Gamez