[Bloody Sam Roberts]

As a result of this decision, the US Justice Department is ordered to respond within 20 days to requests by a civil liberties group for documents about President George W. Bush's NSA surveillance program.

I say they should definitely respond within the 20 day time period allotted.

That response should take the following form:
"Request denied."

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I once supervised a FOIA Office for a Navy Command. This decision is only the first step in the legal process. I am sure the Justice Department will respond and if necessary appeal any adverse decision. One of the exceptions to release under FOIA is classified information. If the information is classified properly, it will never see the light of day. Unfortunately, this could lead to more people (with clearances) learning about the classified information during the litigation. If one of them leaks (a felony) that could be a problem.

[Eagles Talon IV]

I agree and I also believe that is what will happen, albeit phrased differently. I think it safe to say that if the government invokes national security as a reason to not release the documents in question, there is literally no chance they will be released.