WASHINGTON – When the government processes a public records request and discloses information, the person or group asking for the documents is generally free to share them with the world. Documents are posted online. News releases are distributed. People talk.

But that might not happen in a pending case in Washington’s federal trial court. The U.S. Justice Department is advocating for a protective order and a “claw back” agreement that would block an advocacy group, at least temporarily, from revealing any information the Department of Homeland Security hands over.