The Department of Governmental Oversight and Enforcement (DOGE) has become the controversial focal point. According to reports, it is doing this while engaging in practices that raise profound ethical and legal concerns. Speaking under President Donald Trump’s direction, DOGE has seen more access to sensitive federal databases. This includes a system that maintains biometric, facial, and other personal identifying information on more than 31 million legal and undocumented immigrants. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Justice Department deserve credit for opening up this access. Today, a half dozen DOGE staff can poke around in confidential documents.
DOGE has been at the forefront of the Trump administration’s campaign against immigrants. This broad and varied effort aims at deporting anyone who is labeled a “criminal” out of the United States. Critics have raised alarms over the agency’s use of this sensitive data, which includes addresses and case histories of immigrants, raising concerns about potential misuse. In addition, DOGE’s foray into immigration courts has sparked concern about arbitrary chaos in the system.
In a related development, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly announced DOGE’s involvement in creating a registry of individuals on the autism spectrum. This strategy allegedly relies on personally identifiable private medical records. In response, many traditional medical researchers are beginning to sound alarm bells on the moral consequences of public data use. Kennedy has been criticized for his inflammatory rhetoric surrounding autism. He argues that it is “preventable” and has bahzed that he’ll find a cure by September.
DOGE’s activities have allegedly caused a “complete meltdown” inside of the Pentagon. And no wonder Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is upset. He has blamed that turbulence on what he describes as the “deep state.” In a recent statement, Hegseth emphasized, “I’m here because the president asked me to bring war fighting back to the Pentagon. Every single day, that is our focus.”
In terms of oversight, Congressman Byron Donalds noted, “What DOGE is doing right now is they’re going through every agency and they’re examining any contracts or any lack of efficiency in spending federal dollars.” He further affirmed that DOGE’s operations are conducted under the president’s direct supervision.
DOGE has faced criticism for not following appropriate governance and accountability processes with its new initiatives. The agency’s foray into immigration matters and health registries have raised heated concern about its appropriateness. These worries have been magnified by the agency’s approach, especially around data privacy and ethical considerations in processing sensitive information.
In light of these efforts, a few prominent politicians have called into question the legality of DOGE’s moves. A recent Congressional exchange illustrated the deep skepticism still directed at Patels and her predecessors’ claims about deportation policies. In a pointed inquiry, Cain stated, “Do you have anything? Do you have anything beside your word on that?” His challenge is a reminder of just how uncertain the administration’s immigration agenda remains—and particularly of DOGE’s place within it.
As the controversy continues to play out, the Biden administration is insisting—to no one’s surprise—that DOGE’s work is critical to national security. Trump has reiterated his stance on immigration enforcement, stating, “We cannot give everyone a trial because to do so would take, without exaggeration, 200 years.” This vague statement seems to reaffirm the administration’s intent to expedite any processes they deem necessary to “ensure law and order within the country.”
