DOGE creates X accounts to crowdsource info on government ‘waste'
The move comes as Musk's team faces major pushback from Congress over DOGE's request to access an IRS system containing sensitive taxpayer data.
DOGE claims it has already recovered funds across the federal government and is putting a price tag on its so-called savings.
Additionally, the department claims it has discovered thousands of dollars in subscriptions to newspapers, millions going toward diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across several agencies, and millions for programs that provide digital modernization to schools through the Department of Education.
Could DOGE, Trump administration close the IRS?
On its website, DOGE estimates it has saved around $55 billion by eliminating waste across at least 10 agencies through measures such as slashing fraud, renegotiating contracts, canceling grants, reducing workforce numbers and implementing program changes.
DOGE is now asking for the public's help to find perceived waste, fraud or abuse in the federal government. It has launched over 30 different accounts on X dedicated to gathering ideas for cuts.
DOGE has also been reaching out to various agencies, including the IRS, seeking access to systems used by federal agencies.
As tax season begins, with approximately 140 million Americans expected to file their returns, DOGE is focusing heavily on the IRS system, known as the Integrated Data Retrieval System, that the agency uses to access millions of sensitive taxpayer files.
This has raised concerns among Democrats, who argue Musk and his team should not have access to such private information.
Defending DOGE's efforts, the White House states, 'Waste, fraud, and abuse have been deeply entrenched in our broken system for far too long. It takes direct access to the system to identify and fix it.'
How will DOGE impact Social Security? Panelists debate program's future
However, Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., are raising concerns over privacy and security risks, and have sent a letter to IRS acting Commissioner Douglas O'Donnell, writing, 'Software engineers working for Musk seeking to gain access to tax return information have no right to hoover up taxpayer data and send that data back to any other part of the federal government and may be breaking the law if they are doing so.'
Pushback has continued, with a federal judge expected to issue a decision on a lawsuit related to the issue Tuesday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Entrepreneur
16 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
How Leaders Can Uphold the Ideals America Was Founded On
As America's 250th anniversary approaches, business leaders are called to help reclaim the values that once defined the nation. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. This July, Americans are not only celebrating independence but are also being called to reflect on what freedom truly means in today's world. This country was built by brave visionaries who dared to imagine a society rooted in liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness. Yet as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, these ideals feel more fragile than ever. Global leadership is shifting. Trust in business and government is eroding. At home, we face polarization, anxiety and a cultural drift away from the values that once made our country a beacon to the world. The question facing all of us, especially entrepreneurs and business leaders, is this: How do we reclaim these ideals and carry them forward? Freedom is not merely the absence of constraint; it is the presence of opportunity — the ability to thrive, to speak, to build, to contribute or simply to be. But this pursuit of happiness falters when people feel insecure, unheard or unable to make an impact. Related: Study Reveals American Trust Crisis With Government, Business and the Media Ethical leadership We often celebrate open markets and open societies, but they cannot flourish without open hearts and ethical leadership. Leading with purpose and ethics requires looking beyond revenue and actually acting on the needs of your employees and the planet. Ethical leadership means making decisions for long-term impact, not merely short-term gain, fostering trust by making ethics a part of daily business, not just lip service, and putting people at the center of progress by really listening to their needs. It's this kind of leadership that anchors us to our values and reminds us what this is all about in the first place. Capitalism at its best is not about unchecked profiteering. It's about building prosperity for people and the planet alike. That's the promise of conscious capitalism. Right now, it's a promise we must urgently renew as we edge closer to completely losing our way. In recent years, America's moral authority has been shaken. We've seen the growth of cronyism, unchecked corruption and the normalization of self-interest at the expense of shared progress. When trust collapses, so does the global social contract. The effects are far-reaching: Transaction costs go up with other countries Borrowing becomes more difficult Innovation within slows as ideas and goods flow less freely The cost-of-living climbs Our platform to promote new ideas diminishes Productivity collapses and talent hemorrhages Ignoring the needs of people and the planet carries staggering costs that impact beyond the bottom line. This is not just bad economics. It's a spiritual crisis. A nation that loses sight of its values cannot lead — not at home, and certainly not on the world stage. Related: 10 Inspirational Quotes About Independence From Successful Entrepreneurs Conscious capitalism To reverse this trend, we need leaders who are not just successful, but also conscious and aware. According to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the World Forum for Ethics in Business, the antidote to corruption and decay lies in five foundational values that he calls the "Five Cs of Conscious Capitalism:" Connectedness: Recognizing that we are more interconnected than we realize Courage: Doing what is right, even when it's not easy Compassion: Especially for the underserved and overlooked Caring and sharing: Prioritizing collaboration over accumulation Cosmic understanding: Seeing life from a larger context of purpose These are not merely abstract concepts. They are essential for leadership. When we embody them, we build trust — not just in our companies, but also in our communities. Ethical leadership and conscious capitalism lead to conscious consumerism and waves of awareness that shift societal actions in larger ways. As America turns 250, we have the opportunity to redefine what success looks like. Not one merely driven by material success, such as GDP growth or shareholder return. It's about having a thriving, creative, values-driven society where freedom means the chance to be one's fullest, healthiest, happiest self, and to be able to help others do the same. Yes, the world is complex. Yes, corruption exists. But we are not powerless. By rooting our actions in ethics, empathy and awareness, we can restore the kind of leadership the world looks to, not with fear, but with hope. Related: Sage Business Advice From America's Founding Fathers We do this by cultivating resilience, staying anchored in purpose and choosing clarity over reaction. Navigating uncertainty requires us to pause, assess the landscape and make mindful choices. This is a critical first step when the path ahead is unclear. Leaders who thrive in chaotic environments are those who stay centered in their values, communicate transparently and create stability not by control, but by inspiring trust. That is the kind of leadership this moment calls for. The founders of this country were dreamers. They risked everything for an idea of freedom far bigger than themselves. As stewards of this legacy, business leaders today must do the same. Carpe diem is not just a motivational slogan; it's a call to lead with integrity, build with purpose and live with courage. Let us reclaim that spirit — not just for America, but also for the entire world.
The Hill
16 minutes ago
- The Hill
Bove vote dogged by new whistleblower complaints
Senate Democrats are seeking clarification about whether there is an ongoing investigation into Justice Department official Emil Bove after three different whistleblowers came forward with information ahead of his confirmation vote for a lifetime appointment to the bench. The request from Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) comes as a third whistleblower filed a complaint against Bove, alleging the nominee misled the Senate Judiciary Committee. Bove, previously one of Trump's personal defense lawyers, serves in the No. 3 role at the Justice Department and has been nominated to sit on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. After clearing an initial procedural hurdle, a vote on his nomination could come as soon as Tuesday night. Schiff and Booker ask the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General to confirm for lawmakers whether they have ignited an investigation into Bove. 'As the Senate approaches a final vote this week on Mr. Bove's nomination to serve as United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, it is imperative that Senators exercise their constitutional duty of advice and consent with full knowledge of Mr. Bove's actions,' they wrote. 'We therefore request that you clarify for Senators whether your office is undertaking any investigations of or related to Mr. Bove. In the event these whistleblower complaints and other reports have not already prompted investigations by your office, we urge you to undertake a thorough review of these disclosures and allegations.' They argue the three different whistleblower complaints 'paint a picture that Mr. Bove likely violated laws and Department regulations, and abused his authority while acting as one of the Department's most senior officials.' According to The Washington Post, a third whistleblower has forwarded new allegations about Bove's role in ending the prosecution of New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) on bribery charges. Prosecutors who worked the case refused to drop the charges and sign onto the dismissal notice, prompting a wave of resignations. Bove said during his confirmation hearing that the Trump administration needed Adams's cooperation on immigration matters, prompting cries from Democrats that the move was a clear quid pro quo. 'Policy reasons made it appropriate to drop the charges,' Bove said at the time. He has already been accused by whistleblower Erez Reuveni of suggesting the Justice Department defy any court orders blocking the Trump administration from deporting migrants to a foreign prison under the Alien Enemies Act, saying DOJ might have to tell the courts 'f–k you.' A second whistleblower has stepped forward with information they say corroborates Reuveni's allegations. A judge has since begun a probe into whether the Justice Department defied his order to halt or turn around flights carrying Venezuelan men deported under the Alien Enemies Act, finding probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for willfully disobeying his order to immediately halt deportations. Bove has said he could not recall whether he used the expletive but said during his confirmation hearing that he 'certainly conveyed the importance of the upcoming operation.' Details are scarce on the third whistleblower complaint. 'A new whistleblower, whose disclosures have not been publicized, has strong evidence that Emil Bove was not truthful to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing for his nomination to serve on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals,' Peter Carr, a spokesman for Justice Connection said in a statement. The group, a DOJ alumni group that assists whistleblowers, was asked to release a statement on the whistleblower's behalf. 'The whistleblower has tried to share this information with Republican senators for weeks and they have not provided any response. We urge the senators to hear from this whistleblower before the final vote on his nomination.' The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment. GOP members have not stopped by Booker's office to review the documents provided by the latest whistleblower, the Post reported. Committee members asked Bove questions on a number of topics. Beyond whether he encouraged defiance of court orders, he was also asked about leading the effort to fire prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6 cases and collecting a list of FBI agents who worked on investigations into rioters. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) backed Bove out of the committee, saying that while he will not confirm those who condoned Jan. 6, he did not feel the nominee had condoned the riots. Bove advanced after an initial round of voting where Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) were the only GOP members to vote against him. Democrats previously demanded a hearing with Reuveni, but the panel's Republicans blocked it. 'Another whistleblower has come forward with evidence that raises serious concerns with Emil Bove's misconduct,' Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee said. 'This is another damning indictment of a man who should never be a federal judge—and Senate Republicans will bear full responsibility for the consequences if they rubber stamp Mr. Bove's nomination.'
The Hill
16 minutes ago
- The Hill
Watch live: Peter Welch unveils legislation to combat Trump ‘sick tax'
Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will speak Tuesday afternoon on recently introduced legislation targeting President Trump's 'sick tax,' a provision in the GOP-led spending and tax package that will require Medicaid enrollees to pay more out of pocket when visiting a health care provider. Welch, along with other Democrats, has in recent weeks pushed back against sweeping cuts and reforms to Medicaid included in the 'big, beautiful bill' that Trump signed into law on July 4. 'As a result, seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families already fighting to make ends meet will be forced to pay an out-of-pocket cost before they can receive vital health care services,' the Vermont Democrat wrote in a statement introducing the Repealing the Trump Sick Tax Act. 'This 'sick tax' imposed by President Trump and Congressional Republicans will force Medicaid enrollees to choose between paying their bills and receiving vital care every time they need to see a provider,' he added. Welch's remarks are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Watch the live video above.
