Former Social Security chief rips DOGE 'nitwits'
Former Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O'Malley slammed employees at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for its sweeping budget cuts and recent attempts at probes of federal agencies in an effort to reform executive spending.
“There is abuse going on, and it's all been committed by the 19-year-old nitwits at DOGE who are empowered by the co-presidents Elon Musk and Donald Trump,” O’Malley, a recent contender for chair of the Democratic National Committee, said during a Tuesday appearance on CNN.
Musk has faced backlash for his role in the new agency, lauding cuts and employee dismissals in recent social media posts. The White House clarified Monday that the tech giant is not a part of DOGE but a senior adviser to the president.
In the first month of Trump's second term, DOGE staff, some of whom are college-age, have gained access to sensitive data in several departments, raising privacy concerns, which O'Malley referenced.
“It is a fireable offense if an employee goes through and browses to see, you know, what their brother-in-law might have made in the course of his life. For those things, it's a fireable offense, and oftentimes it's something that is referable to the inspector general for criminal prosecution,” O’Malley said.
“But now we can't do that, because the co-presidents whacked all of the inspector generals whose job it is to police against waste, fraud and abuse there.”
President Trump fired 17 inspectors general in late January, bypassing the required notification to Congress. Eight of the federal watchdogs sued over their forcible departure, arguing there was a clear intent to impede nonpartisan oversight.
The move was questioned by both Democrats and Republicans.
“I don’t understand why one would fire individuals whose mission it is to root out waste, fraud and abuse. This leaves a gap in what I know is a priority for President Trump. So I don’t understand it,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said.
Future DOGE efforts include major reforms to the U.S. Department of Education and the Pentagon.
Topics
-
Trump’s Plan to Kill Social Security Benefit Tax Could Accelerate Its Insolvency
Social security is already in danger. President Trump’s plan to get rid of income taxes on the benefit won’t save it. In fact, it’ll probably do the opposite.Inc. - 10h -
The Investment Chief Behind the DOGE Dividend Explains His Pitch to Elon Musk
Azoria CEO James Fishback sees a way for President Trump to send $5,000 to every US taxpayer.Inc. - 22h -
Border Patrol chief discusses asylum policy changes, possible DOGE cuts
A new administration is bringing new changes to enforcement at the U.S-Mexico border as illegal crossings drop to a five-year low. Camilo Montoya-Galvez spoke to Michael Banks, the new chief of ...CBS News - 8h -
Mira Murati, OpenAI’s Former Chief Technology Officer, Starts Her Own Company
Mira Murati, who left OpenAI last year, has helped establish Thinking Machines Lab, a new artificial intelligence start-up.The New York Times - 2d -
FDA’s Food Safety Chief Resigns
The chief said the loss of critical employees overseeing the nation’s food supply made his work impossible. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s new health secretary, has pledged to gut the division.The New York Times - 2d -
Musk's private security detail deputized by U.S. Marshals Service, sources say
The U.S. Marshals Service routinely deputizes police. However, the move to deputize private security officers, who are not sworn law enforcement officials, is considered unorthodoxCBS News - 4h -
With Truth Social, Trump Has Official Mouthpiece and a Channel for Revenue
The president’s company, Trump Media & Technology Group, represents a clear mingling of his official duties and his business interests.The New York Times - 20h -
Fired Park Rangers Try to ‘Open Some Hearts’ on Social Media
Some rangers decided it was worth the risk to speak out online about their firings and share their love of the National Park Service.The New York Times - 12h -
White House Social Media Accounts Post Shocking Deportation Memes
The Trump administration has used the official social media accounts of The White House to post a deportation themed Valentine and other polarizing messages.The New York Times - 10h -
The Incompetence of DOGE Is a Feature, Not a Bug
A series of mistakes by DOGE shows just how arbitrary and destructive this slash-and-burn strategy can get.Wired - 21h
More from The Hill
-
Live updates: Musk takes the stage at CPAC; Senate vote-a-rama stretches into the night
Tech billionaire Elon Musk took the stage at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) with a late-scheduled appearance that saw him wield a chainsaw and discuss a range of ...The Hill - 5h -
China supports 'recent consensus' between US and Russia on Ukraine war, foreign minister says
China supports “the recent consensus” between the U.S. and Russia on the war in Ukraine, said Wang Yi, the country’s foreign minister, amid ongoing discussions about bringing an end to the nearly ...The Hill - 6h -
Former 'Squad' members launching 'Bowman and Bush' YouTube show
Former Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) are launching a YouTube show, according to a Thursday post from Bush on her Instagram. “I’m beyond excited to announce the launch of our ...The Hill - 7h -
Trump vows to add Black icons to proposed National Garden of American Heroes
President Trump shared plans to feature more than 10 Black historical figures in his proposed National Garden of American Heroes during a Thursday White House reception for Black History Month. ...The Hill - 8h -
Trump vents frustration with Boeing over Air Force One delays
President Trump is airing grievances with Boeing over delays in delivering new Air Force One jets, telling Republican governors on Thursday he was “getting a little tired” of the hold up. “I bought ...The Hill - 8h
More in Politics
-
Live updates: Musk takes the stage at CPAC; Senate vote-a-rama stretches into the night
Tech billionaire Elon Musk took the stage at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) with a late-scheduled appearance that saw him wield a chainsaw and discuss a range of ...The Hill - 5h -
Georgia Republican faces crowd angered by DOGE layoffs
Rep. Rich McCormick faced a crowd at a town hall in Roswell, Georgia, that expressed anger about the layoffs and cuts implemented by Elon Musk's DOGE team.NBC News - 5h -
China supports 'recent consensus' between US and Russia on Ukraine war, foreign minister says
China supports “the recent consensus” between the U.S. and Russia on the war in Ukraine, said Wang Yi, the country’s foreign minister, amid ongoing discussions about bringing an end to the nearly ...The Hill - 6h -
Senate adopts fallback budget in case Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ falters
Now the onus is on House Republicans to build enough support to advance their own party-line plan, or face pressure to back the Senate’s slimmer vision.Politico - 6h -
Fired Army veteran speaks out about federal layoffs
Army Veteran Nelson Feliz, Sr., who spent more than a decade working for the Department of Veterans Affairs, is speaking out about his experience as one of the many federal workers who was let go ...NBC News - 6h