The Functional Government Initiative (FGI) is a nonpartisan government watchdog that aims to increase public awareness about the officials, decisions, and priorities of the U.S. government. FGI aims to promote a thriving economy, a strong workforce, a clean environment, and a healthy America through its investigative research, analysis, and education. ¹

Activities

In an effort to combat abuse of government, the Functional Government Initiative filed a transparency lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2023 alleging that the DOJ withheld records related to attorneys’ fees and other legal costs related to the representation of Lois Lerner and Holly Paz during the IRS targeting controversy in 2013. ²

The Functional Government Initiative also filed a transparency lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2023 alleging that the EPA withheld records that potentially included communication between Frank Biden (a brother of President Joe Biden) and associates at the Berman Law Group in regards to sugar cane field burning, which may have influenced environmental activists to demand that the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) be lowered. ³

Financials

At this time, the Functional Government Initiative is not registered as a nonprofit organization with the IRS, so its funding and financials are unknown. ⁴

People

Chris Stanley is the director of FGI and formerly worked in senior legislative roles in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. Stanley formerly worked at the U.S. Census Bureau as the head of the congressional and intergovernmental affairs staff. ⁵

Peter McGinnis is the communications director at FGI and formerly worked for President Donald Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign. ^{6 7}

1. “About Us.” Functional Government Initiative. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://functionalgovernment.org/about-us/.
2. “FGI Files Suit Against DOJ for Records on Covering Lois Lerner and Holly Paz’s Legal Bills.” Functional Government Initiative, April 18, 2023. Accessed January 20, 2024. https://functionalgovernment.org/fgi-files-suit-against-doj-for-records-on-covering-lois-lerner-and-holly-pazs-legal-bills/.
3. ^[1] “FGI Sues EPA to Uncover Frank Biden’s Potential Influence over Environmental Justice Issues.” Functional Government Initiative, May 7, 2023. Accessed January 20, 2024. https://functionalgovernment.org/fgi-sues-epa-to-uncover-frank-bidens-potential-influence-over-environmental-justice-issues/.
4. “Tax Exempt Organization Search.” Internal Revenue Service. Accessed January 20, 2024. https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/.
5.  “About Us.” Functional Government Initiative. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://functionalgovernment.org/about-us/.
6. “About Us.” Functional Government Initiative. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://functionalgovernment.org/about-us/.
7. “Peter McGinnis.” LinkedIn Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-mcginnis-17620b13a/.