Today, the White House and Treasury have officially closed D.O.G.E's access to sensitive IRS taxpayer data to safeguard privacy.
Blocking D.O.G.E's Access
After a period of intense outrage in Washington, tensions around D.O.G.E reached a peak. Democrats, some Republicans, and taxpayer advocacy groups accused the administration of breaching privacy laws by allowing D.O.G.E to audit IRS systems. The decision followed a series of legal challenges asserting that D.O.G.E’s cost-cutting measures jeopardized taxpayer data confidentiality.
Defending D.O.G.E's Role
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended D.O.G.E’s role in the IRS, stating that the Elon Musk-backed initiative is focused on fixing inefficiencies and tackling fraud. Bessent assured that D.O.G.E staff have no access to taxpayer records, as they are only reviewing outdated IT infrastructure. The new agreement limits D.O.G.E’s interaction with IRS and Treasury databases.
IRS Mass Firings
The Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs in the IRS, with over 6,000 workers laid off. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett emphasized that the aim is to ensure staff productivity and effectiveness. A proposal also discussed suggests redirecting part of D.O.G.E's savings to taxpayers in the form of payouts.
As a result of current decisions, D.O.G.E is limited in its actions concerning IRS data. The issue of redistributing savings and future layoffs remains unresolved.
