The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan congressional watchdog agency, received an unusual request from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to embed its staffers within GAO. DOGE emailed GAO staff on May 13 with plans to discuss assigning a team to the agency under President’s January 20th Executive Order.
However, GAO has declined the request due to its status as a legislative branch agency and not being subject to executive orders. In response, GAO’s general counsel informed DOGE that their work is performed for Congress in support of its constitutional legislative functions.
This move has sparked concern from Capitol Hill Democrats, who have warned DOGE to back off its attempt. Democratic Reps. Gerry Connolly and Joe Morelle sent a letter to Amy Gleason, the acting administrator of DOGE, stating that this action undermines the separation of powers and independence of Congress. The development is another example of DOGE’s efforts to expand its influence beyond federal agencies, having previously extended to non-profits receiving federal funds from Congress.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-middle-east-news-05-16-25