Atheist group sues Ben Carson's agency for dodging record requests on White House Bible study

A Wisconsin-based atheist group is suing the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), led by Ben Carson, for allegedly refusing to release records relating to a White House Bible study.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has collaborated with the government watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) in its lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of Columbia.

The suit claims that HUD is systematically denying fee waivers on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests "where disclosure of the requested documents is likely to cast the agency or HUD Secretary Ben Carson in a negative light."

Citing reports that the Trump administration holds weekly Bible study sessions at the White House, the FFRF has requested records to determine whether government resources are used in the sessions and whether staffers feel coerced into organizing or participating in the event.

The group claimed that HUD denied fee waiver when the group requested the documents in August 2017 because the records were allegedly not in the public interest. The FFRF filed an appeal and HUD reportedly refused the waiver, arguing that the records requested by the atheist organization did not relate to the department's operations or activities.

"We're still waiting on records from all the various departments involved in this bible study, but HUD has been particularly secretive and obstinate," Andrew L. Seidel, FFRF's director of strategic response, said, as reported by Wisconsin Gazette.

According to a news release from FFRF, the list of the attendees of the Bible study sessions include Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, and Energy Secretary Rick Perry.

The Bible studies were reportedly co-sponsored by Vice President Mike Pence and led by Ralph Drollinger of Capitol Ministries, which aims to spread the Gospel at the seats of power.

Washington Times reported that Drollinger has established similar Bible study groups in the U.S. House and Senate, 40 state capitals and 24 foreign countries.

"If those officials want privacy, the solution is pretty damn simple: Study the Bible in your private capacity, not in your official capacity and at your government desk. Do it on your time, not the taxpayers'. In short, get off your knees and get to work," the FFRF said in a statement on Thursday.

Drollinger pointed out on Facebook that the copies of the weekly Bible studies are available at the ministry's official website.

"There's nothing secret to this – and all related Bible study expenses are paid by Capitol Ministries, a 501(c)3 organization," he wrote.

The FFRF also requested records on Carson's daily schedule and appearance at an event at the new Museum of the Bible, but HUD reportedly refused the waiver the day after the FOIA request and denied the group's appeal.

HUD also reportedly rejected CREW's request for a fee waiver and records relating to the role Carson's son and wife play in the department, where they were said to be "omnipresent" fixtures. CREW's request for waivers relating to Carson's use of private planes to travel was also denied.