TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
March 6 , 2025
Washington, DC - President Donald Trump signed an executive order today establishing the Department of Information (DOI), a new cabinet-level agency aimed at centralizing and controlling the flow of information within the federal government.
The creation of the DOI comes amidst a flurry of executive actions by the Trump administration, including efforts to dismantle existing federal agencies. While details are still emerging, sources close to the administration indicate that the new department will have broad authority over government communications, data management, and information dissemination.
The executive order appoints Linda McMahon, who was previously tapped to lead the Department of Education, as the first Secretary of Information. McMahon's role has pivoted from potentially dismantling one federal agency to building another from the ground up.
According to the White House, the DOI's primary objectives include: streamlining government communications, enhancing cybersecurity measures, centralizing data management across federal agencies, and overseeing information dissemination to the public.
The creation of the Department of Information has already raised concerns among critics, who fear the new agency could curtail freedom of speech and lead to government overreach in controlling public discourse. Detractors argue that the department’s mandate to monitor and regulate information could be weaponized to suppress dissent, censor critical voices, and enhance government control over the media landscape.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed alarm at the development, stating, "This unprecedented move raises serious questions about the administration's intentions regarding the free flow of information in our democracy."
Legal experts are debating the constitutionality of creating a new federal department solely through executive order. Typically, the establishment of cabinet-level agencies requires congressional approval. This action is likely to face legal challenges in the coming weeks.
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