DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, has received nearly $40 million in funding from the Trump administration, despite President Donald Trump’s claims that only 100 people work for the agency. ProPublica has identified 46 employees working at DOGE, including 12 new names added to their list.
The agency has been created to cut bureaucratic fat, but its effects have proven devastating, halting essential programs that provide services to vulnerable populations worldwide. The top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, has called DOGE a “made-up federal department” wasting taxpayer dollars.
DOGE’s funding comes from the Economy Act, a nearly century-old law allowing federal agencies to redirect funds to new departments. However, DOGE has refused to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests, citing executive privileges and flip-flopping on whether staff members are paid. This has put the Trump administration in a bind, with legal experts saying they cannot have it both ways.
A recent federal judge hearing a lawsuit against DOGE characterized the administration’s position as “we’re not an agency where we don’t want to be an agency, but we are an agency this one instance where we want to be.” ProPublica has confirmed 12 new government staffers working at DOGE or linked to Elon Musk’s companies.
The funding for DOGE is largely from other federal agencies and includes a $14 million chunk described as part of a “software modernization initiative.” However, the exact source of the funding remains unclear. Legal experts warn that DOGE’s operating method may violate the purpose statute, which requires funds to be used only for specific purposes.
The lack of transparency surrounding DOGE’s funding and operations has raised concerns among lawmakers and ethics watchdogs. As the agency continues to expand its reach, it is essential that its actions are scrutinized and subject to public oversight.
Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/doge-trump-musk-funding-foia-congress-transparency