The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues to score victories despite facing an increasingly uphill battle.
On one hand, DOGE is preparing to cut 70 percent of the Office of Personnel Management’s staff, according to sources who spoke with the Federal News Network.
“During an internal meeting Friday morning, Trump administration officials [with DOGE] directed OPM senior career staff to begin making plans to cut the agency’s workforce and programs by 70%,” the news network reported.
“By Monday, all OPM offices are expected to give political leaders organizational staffing charts with plans for an initial 30% reduction for both federal employees and contractors,” the reporting continued.
Federal workers preparing for Elon Musk to fire 70% (‼️) of OPM’s workforce pic.twitter.com/fZDQkqxFo0
— Jackie Singh (@HackingButLegal) February 4, 2025
But on the other hand, DOGE faces yet another lawsuit, this time from three federal employees’ unions that have specifically sued the U.S. Treasury Department, demanding it stop sharing confidential data with the sub-agency.
The Alliance for Retired Americans, the American Federation of Government Employees, and the Service Employees International Union claim in the lawsuit that DOGE’s work may have exposed the confidential records of millions of federal employees.
“The scale of the intrusion into individuals’ privacy is massive and unprecedented,” the lawsuit reads.
BREAKING: We are suing @USTreasury for its unlawful disclosure of personal & financial information to Elon Musk’s DOGE.
This violation puts sensitive information about millions of Americans at risk.
— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) February 3, 2025
See our complaint on behalf of Alliance for Retired Americans, AFGE, and SEIU: https://t.co/di8vTEGpWz
— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) February 3, 2025
The suit goes on to pin the blame for everything on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for granting DOGE access in the first place.
“Secretary Bessent’s action granting DOGE-affiliated individuals full, continuous, and ongoing access to that information for an unspecified period of time means that retirees, taxpayers, federal employees, companies, and other individuals from all walks of life have no assurance that their information will receive the protection that federal law affords,” the lawsuit reads.
“And because Defendants’ actions and decisions are shrouded in secrecy, individuals will not have even basic information about what personal or financial information that Defendants are sharing with outside parties or how their information is being used,” it continues.
Congressional Democrats have also jumped on the confidential information bandwagon.
“[Senate Minority Leader Chuck] Schumer and Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries said they were working on legislation aimed at beefing up safeguards to protect the confidential and personal information contained in the Treasury’s payments system,” according to Politico.
President Donald Trump, for his part, confirmed on Monday that he supports the ongoing efforts of DOGE and its boss, Elon Musk, though he stressed that he can cut off that access at any time if necessary.
“Elon can’t do, and won’t do, anything without our approval,” he said from the Oval Office. “And we’ll give him the approval where appropriate. Where not appropriate, we won’t. Where we think there’s a conflict or there’s a problem, we won’t let him go near it.”
Listen:
A reporter questions President Trump on Elon Musk, and Trump says DOGE is “finding tremendous waste…fraud and abuse,” and “we’re trying to shrink government.”
“Elon can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval, and we’ll give him the approval where appropriate.” pic.twitter.com/A1bmYvAkWq
— Julia (@Jules31415) February 3, 2025
All this comes amid reports that Musk and DOGE have picked up a new major ally — Ed Martin, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
In a letter written to Musk this week, Martin threatened to take legal action against anyone who interferes with DOGE’s work.
“I recognize that some of the staff at DOGE has been targeted publicly,” he wrote. “At this time, I ask that you utilize me and my staff to assist in protecting the DOGE work and the DOGE workers.”
“Any threats, confrontations, or other actions in any way that impact their work may break numerous laws. Let me assure you of this: we will pursue any and all legal action against anyone who impedes your work or threatens your people,” he added.
Dear @elon, Please see this important letter. We will not tolerate threats against DOGE workers or law-breaking by the disgruntled. All the best. Ed Martin pic.twitter.com/jIgMPVbPT5
— Ed Martin (@EagleEdMartin) February 3, 2025
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