Taking part

watchdog

Any body whose job is scrutinizing government: an inspector general, the GAO, the press, or a nonprofit that files records requests and lawsuits.

In full

Watchdogs differ in what they can compel. An inspector general has subpoena power inside its agency; GAO can demand records for Congress; a journalist or nonprofit relies on FOIA, litigation, and sources. The word is informal, so it is worth asking which kind is meant, because it determines what the finding rests on.

Where to go next

inspector general Government Accountability Office Freedom of Information Act whistleblower

Written from USA.gov, Branches of the U.S. Government

Keep going

Browse every term in the glossary, or see the vocabulary in motion in the How government works walkthroughs.

A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.