As Trump pledges to slash waste, critics say he’s weakening watchdogs
This article features Government Accountability Project Legal Director, Tom Devine, and was originally published here.
President Donald Trump says his new Department of Government Efficiency is rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, but critics say the White House is weakening watchdogs intended to guard against corruption.
The White House has fired a number of federal employees charged with nonpartisan oversight and whistleblower protection in recent days. It comes as DOGE implements sweeping changes and faces criticism about the transparency of its actions.
“You don’t drain the swamp by throwing the cleanup crew to the gators, and that’s what’s happening in the current administration,” said the Government Accountability Project’s legal director, Tom Devine, who has supported thousands of whistleblowers during his decades-long career. “By firing the watchdogs, we’re creating the breeding grounds for dramatically increased fraud, waste and abuse.”
In the opening weeks of the Trump administration, DOGE has directed dramatic cuts to the federal workforce and spending, prompting a flurry of lawsuits.
The effort is spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, whose businesses have extensive federal contracts.
“There’s no controls against conflicts of interest by Mr. Musk under the current system,” Devine said.
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