Hearing

On 14 October 2026, I contacted Owen?, Deputy Chief of Staff and a member of the Digital Services Administration (DSA), requesting clarification regarding the DJ broadcasting system he had personally configured for use within the White House. Specifically, I asked whether Icecast needed to be downloaded to operate the system.

Despite following up privately, I received no substantive response. On 16 October 2026, I raised the matter again in the White House Discord server, at which point Owen? acknowledged my request and stated, "When I get time I will."

When I explained that I had already been waiting two days for an answer, Owen? responded that he worked full-time and had "far more pressing things" than answering my messages and teaching me how to DJ. He further suggested that a Google search could have resolved the matter and that I could have approached another individual for assistance.

I clarified that I was not asking to be taught how to DJ, nor was I unfamiliar with DJ software. My question was simply whether I needed to download specific software to use the system Owen? had configured. Given that he was responsible for setting it up, I believed he was the appropriate individual to approach for clarification.

The conversation concluded on 16 October 2026, with Owen? stating, "Okay I don't need more paragraphs I get it, I'll reply when I get time."

As of 22 October 2026, eight days have passed since my initial request, and I have still received no clarification from Owen?.

As Secretary of the Interior, I am responsible for planning, organising and coordinating events and activities within the White House. The DJ broadcasting system is relevant to these responsibilities, and the continued lack of clarification has prevented me from progressing with aspects of my departmental planning.

I acknowledge that Owen? has commitments outside of the White House, as do many other members, and I do not expect immediate responses to every request. However, I believe there is a reasonable expectation that individuals holding positions of responsibility communicate effectively, particularly where their responsibilities affect another department's ability to carry out its duties.

Under the Digital Services Act 2025, Part 2, Section 2(1), the Digital Services Administration is responsible for the "upkeep, maintenance, promotion and management of all digital resources officially recognized and utilized by the White House."

Given that the DJ broadcasting system was configured for use within the White House, I believe there are reasonable grounds to consider whether this infrastructure falls within the responsibilities of the DSA. Owen?'s direct involvement in configuring the system is particularly relevant to why I approached him for assistance.

I further refer to Part 4, Section 4(2) of the Digital Services Act 2025, which establishes that the Executive Administration, in conjunction with the DSA, shall provide appropriate functionality as is reasonable for the functioning of the White House. Should the DJ broadcasting system form part of the White House's Discord infrastructure, I believe this provision may also be relevant.

I recognise that these provisions establish responsibilities for the DSA collectively and do not necessarily impose an individual obligation upon Owen? to respond to every technical enquiry. I also acknowledge that Owen? suggested contacting another individual for assistance and referred to established DSA communication procedures.

However, I believe there is a distinction between directing someone towards alternative sources of assistance and properly addressing a request that has already been acknowledged, particularly when the individual approached was directly involved in configuring the system in question.

I further believe that Owen? may be deliberately withholding assistance rather than this being solely a matter of availability or external commitments.

My reasoning is that Owen? acknowledged my request on multiple occasions and expressly stated that he would respond when he had time. Despite this, eight days have passed without any substantive clarification being provided.

Furthermore, I believe his responses during our exchange demonstrated an unwillingness to engage constructively with what was a straightforward technical question. Rather than simply explaining that he was unavailable or providing a clear referral through the appropriate support channels, the discussion became unnecessarily confrontational, with my request being characterised as something that could have been resolved through a Google search.

Whilst I accept that this does not conclusively establish deliberate withholding of assistance, I believe the circumstances raise reasonable questions regarding whether the continued lack of response is intentional.

My concern is not simply that I have been waiting eight days for a response, but that I remain unable to progress aspects of my departmental responsibilities because the technical clarification I originally requested has not been provided.

Under the Crimes Act 2025, Part 1, Section 7(1)(1), Negligence of Duties is defined as "Failing to fulfil the duties of the rank/position" and is classified as a Class B offence.

I am therefore bringing this case against Owen? on the grounds of alleged Negligence of Duties. I respectfully request that the Court examine whether his handling of this matter, particularly in relation to his involvement within the Digital Services Administration, constitutes a failure to fulfil the responsibilities associated with his position.

I further request that the Court consider whether the repeated acknowledgement of my request, the continued absence of a substantive response, and the resulting impact on my departmental responsibilities demonstrate negligence, or whether assistance has been intentionally withheld.

I believe that individuals entrusted with positions of responsibility should be held to a reasonable standard of accountability, communication and cooperation, particularly where their responsibilities directly affect the ability of other departments to operate effectively.

I respectfully ask that the Court consider the evidence provided, the relevant provisions of the Digital Services Act 2025, and the responsibilities established under the Crimes Act 2025 in determining whether Negligence of Duties has occurred.

Relevant legislation:
- Crimes Act 2025 - Part 1, Section 7(1)(1): Negligence of Duties
- Digital Services Act 2025 - Part 2, Section 2(1): DSA Responsibilities
- Digital Services Act 2025 - Part 4, Section 4(2): Discord Accessibility and Functionality

Location: Discord DM and WH Server
Date: 14/10/2026