🐶 DOGE in the Henhouse

☀️ Happy Friday, March 14 from your Certified Emotional Support Newsletter.

🙏 Daily Mantra: Reminder that the Department of Government Efficiency is neither a Department nor Efficient.

🐾 Now let’s Sic ‘Em!

In an epic, sweeping, and thorough piece by WIRED, Musk’s road to the DOGE we’ve come to know today is laid out in stark and troubling detail.

Spearheading a dramatic reshaping of Washington, Musk's digital DOGE army has infiltrated nearly every agency — from the Department of Agriculture to the Social Security Administration.

These aren’t anonymous hackers breaching firewalls from the outside, but are now government employees who are being handed the keys to each agency kingdom.

From the inside, DOGE’s team of Musk acolytes have been slashing staff and systems, while also hoarding terabytes sensitive data. More and more it’s becoming clear that their interest is less about fiscal responsibility and instead about gathering the personal data records, biometric information, and even medical histories of federal workers, vulnerable populations, and even the entire citizenry.

Often their tactics have been to blitz an agency, make demands, and then let people react or file lawsuits after the damage is done.

Then as part of the next phase, they’ve begun implementing AI tools that like chatbots that can access these massive datasets of private info.

"This is a digital coup,” said a USAID source, reflecting the wide-reaching impact of DOGE’s operations across the federal landscape.

And the ripple effect is profound. From healthcare to environmental protections, the people who are set to suffer most under this approach are those already struggling, ironically in many of the red states who votes for Trump.

Musk’s disregard for the human costs of these reductions is made all the more dangerous by the increasing concentration of power in DOGE’s hands, as Musk's personal vision begins to shape policy at the expense of transparency and accountability.

And the tension doesn’t stop there. So far the Republican-controlled Congress has refused to speak up against DOGE, and with the government on the verge of a shutdown and an economy teetering, DOGE’s fast-paced maneuvers may lead the nation into uncharted territory, leaving citizens, workers, and services to fend for themselves.

The full article is really worth your time, since it gives the full and colorful texture of DOGE’s origin story. From inside secretive and exclusive members-only clubs in DC to the “gum and ZYN-filled urinals” at SpaceX HQ where the DOGE brain trust was born, it’s shocking to realize just how easily Musk has been able to mount his digital coup.

Dig Deeper here.

Bad DOGE! Judge Orders Trump to Reinstate Thousands of Federal Employees Fired by DOGE’s Mass Layoffs.

DOGE got its nose swatted.

In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge William Alsup has ordered the Trump administration to immediately reinstate thousands of probationary employees who were fired as part of DOGE’S rapid downsizing of the federal workforce.

Alsup ruled that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) unlawfully directed agencies to fire these employees under the guise of "performance" issues, calling the action a "sham" aimed at bypassing legal procedures for workforce reduction.

Despite resistance from the White House, which labeled the ruling as "absurd," the judge’s order marks a significant pushback against the administration's efforts to diminish federal employment and erode worker protections.

The case underscores the growing political battle over workforce rights and government efficiency under DOGE, with labor unions and workers celebrating the victory while the DOJ counters the ruling.

Dig Deeper here.

Tightened Leashed. Judge Opens the Door to Major Scrutiny of DOGE’s Workforce Cuts.

In yet another legal blow to DOGE, Judge Tanya Chutkan has granted 14 states access to important documents and answers regarding the department's controversial actions, including laying off thousands of federal workers.

This move comes after a lawsuit was filed by state attorneys general, arguing that DOGE's aggressive cuts and Musk's role in the agency were unconstitutional. The states are looking to confirm suspicions about Musk’s sweeping influence and gather evidence to challenge the cuts, which they argue have created chaos within the federal government.

This tightening of the leash requires DOGE to turn over materials related to its plans to reduce federal agencies and its impact on federal workers, contracts, and data systems. They must also show up for depositions and otherwise participate in the legal process, which so far they’ve brazenly managed to evade.

Dig Deeper here.

Put to Sleep. DOGE Quietly Kills Housing Programs for Low-Income Families.

DOGE has quietly delivered a heavy blow to affordable housing for low-income Americans, as part of a broader strategy to slash funding across federal programs. The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, which helps maintain livable conditions in affordable housing, is now facing elimination under DOGE’s cuts.

This program has already improved over 25,000 units, helping vulnerable families and seniors with repairs to heating systems, insulation, and flood-proofing. But now, due to DOGE’s actions, many of these low-income tenants may soon face unsafe or unaffordable living conditions.

The decision to cut funding for such vital programs shows just how little care there is for those struggling to get by. It's another reminder that when it comes to cuts and slashing staff and programs, humans are an afterthought to DOGE.

Dig Deeper here.

Attacking the Mailman. Trump Administration Wants To Turn Tail On Electrification of Postal Service

DOGE is literally attacking the mailman.

DOGE wants to put the brakes on the electrification of the U.S. Postal Service and is preparing a bill to reclaim $3 billion originally earmarked for the expansion of electric vehicles in USPS.

Republican Senator Joni Ernst and Congressman Michael Cloud are pushing the "Return to Sender Act," which would stop the USPS from transitioning to a fleet of electric delivery vehicles. This move would undo efforts from the Biden administration that were part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which aimed to reduce emissions by providing funds for electric vehicle purchases and charging infrastructure.

With contracts already in place for the purchase of 66,000 electric vehicles from manufacturers like Oshkosh and Ford, the question remains whether DOGE can halt or reshape this electric transition to favor traditional vehicles.

Prediction: Somehow this reversal on electrified vehicles will get reversed yet again and then twisted so that Tesla will end up getting the $3 billion contract instead. After all, “Everything’s computer.”

Dig Deeper here.

"Trump Pushes FBI to Criminalize Climate Groups with EPA Grants" Beta Co-President Trump has escalated his war on climate activism by targeting environmental organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, for allegedly defrauding the U.S. government. In a controversial move, the FBI has ordered Citibank to freeze the bank accounts of groups that received climate-focused grants from the EPA under the Biden administration. These groups, which include nonprofit organizations like the Appalachian Community Capital Corporation and the DC Green Bank, now face criminal charges for their involvement in climate science and initiatives designed to mitigate environmental impacts. These actions, framed as efforts to root out fraud, appear more like a politically motivated attack on environmental advocacy groups. Critics argue that this move is not about fighting fraud but about silencing those pushing for climate action, especially targeting programs that benefit low-income and minority communities. Yeah, we always thought Jimmy Carter’s wholesome peanut-farmer-building-homes persona was just a ruse to hide his true ambitions as kingpin grifter.

“Trump Eyes Military Presence in Panama to Reclaim Control of the Canal”
Trump is reportedly exploring several options to increase U.S. military presence in Panama, with a focus on “reclaiming” control of the Panama Canal. Trump has been barking about his absurd desire to own the Panama Canal for a while now, but it’s often hard to know if he really means it, or if it’s just his pet project du jour after someone just shouted “Squirrel!” However, this step definitely seems to indicate he’s digging in — meaning it could involve anything from bolstering security cooperation with Panama’s forces to the more extreme option of deploying U.S. troops to seize the canal.

“Hegseth Targets Military Legal System to Relax War Crimes Rules”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent efforts to overhaul the U.S. military's legal system have raised serious concerns. By nominating new judge advocate generals (JAGs) to replace those he fired last month, Hegseth is pushing for a more aggressive approach to military law. His chosen overseer for this overhaul, Tim Parlatore, a personal lawyer to Donald Trump and a defender of controversial figures like Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, has expressed disdain for the existing restrictions on soldiers’ actions in combat. Parlatore’s stance is that JAG officers are too restrictive, particularly in their interpretation of the rules of engagement. This overhaul aims to relax these rules, potentially allowing more leniency for soldiers committing battlefield crimes, which is deeply troubling considering the potential for war crimes and human rights violations. If Hegseth gets his way, the Geneva Conventions might need to update their “No, seriously” clause pronto.

“Trump Seeks Supreme Court’s Green Light to Limit Birthright Citizenship”
The Trump administration is back at it, this time with a renewed effort to restrict birthright citizenship, a policy that’s been snarled in legal battles for months. After lower courts ruled against the executive order, the Justice Department is now asking the Supreme Court to step in and let them move forward with it, despite strong opposition. The order would exclude children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status or those on temporary visas. The administration argues it’s squarely within Trump’s power (though isn’t that their argument for all of his whims?), while critics say the policy could strip citizenship from hundreds of thousands of children each year. Barron Trump, who was born in America before his immigrant mother Melania became a U.S. citizen, could not be reached for comment.

“Tesla Warns of Potential Retaliatory Tariffs Amid Trump’s Trade Moves”
Tesla has sounded the alarm about the risk of retaliatory tariffs in the wake of Co-President Trump’s aggressive trade policies, warning that it, along with other major U.S. exporters, could face consequences from foreign countries in response to the administration's actions. Even Musk said he’s concerned that tariffs intended to address trade imbalances might inadvertently harm American businesses. The automaker cautioned that past trade actions have already resulted in retaliatory tariffs, particularly on electric vehicles exported from the U.S. Musk’s company is pushing for a more gradual approach to tariff enforcement, so that companies can adjust their supply chains and compliance measures. Tesla also pointed out the difficulties in sourcing some components from within the U.S., despite efforts to localize the supply chain. So, yeah — basically what almost everybody else has been warning. Sounds like there might Trouble in Paradise between these two lovebirds.

Well, that was a lot to swallow. Again.

So here are a few treats for you. Some doggy goodness to calm your nerves, lift your spirits & get you through to tomorrow…

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👍 Thanks for reading. See you on Monday.  

🐾 And until then, do your best to stay pawsitive!