The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied as “categorically false” a report that Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff are using AI to spy on communications sent by federal workers to detect anti-Donald Trump or anti-Elon Musk language.
Reuters cited two anonymous people with knowledge of the matter, who said this was happening at the EPA and they had been told so by Trump-appointed officials.
“We have been told they are looking for anti-Trump or anti-Musk language,” a third source familiar with the EPA told Reuters. A manager reportedly said: “Be careful what you say, what you type and what you do.”
Newsweek could not verify the report independently. A spokesperson for the EPA told Newsweek: “EPA is not monitoring or transcribing phone calls, meetings, or calendar entries. Reuters reporting of this issue regarding EPA is categorically false.”
Why it Matters
DOGE’s critics argue that its activities, often operating outside traditional oversight mechanisms, represent a consolidation of executive power and pose risks to agency autonomy.
The latest claims highlight the growing influence of DOGE and its controversial role in reshaping the federal bureaucracy under the direction of figures close to Trump.
The allegations also raise questions about employee privacy, workplace surveillance, and the politicization of federal agencies.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
What to Know
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a major political ally of President Donald Trump, is leading the efforts of DOGE to cut what it identifies as waste or fraud in federal spending.
Trump has long railed against what he calls the “deep state,” the federal government officials and workers who he sees as hostile and actively disruptive to his agenda.
But DOGE is facing a series of legal challenges across multiple federal departments over its activities, which opponents say are unconstitutional.
For example, in February, a coalition of 14 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit questioning DOGE’s authority to restructure or dissolve federal agencies without congressional approval, alleging violations of the Appointments Clause.
In March, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin hailed his agency’s “great partnership with DOGE” and said together they had identified—and he had now cancelled—more than $2 billion in grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, or environmental justice.
What People Are Saying
Zeldin told Fox Business: “The people inside of our agency are EPA employees. The ones working on this DOGE effort…they stepped away from other jobs because they selflessly care about serving the American public.”
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont said in March: “The person who is running the government right now is Elon Musk. Mr. Musk has taken it upon himself, with the support of President Trump, to virtually dismantle the United States government.”
What’s Next
DOGE is under increasing legal scrutiny. With court battles looming and watchdog groups calling for congressional oversight, DOGE’s operations may soon face legal limitations that could halt or reshape its role in federal governance.
Update 04/08/25 11:07 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
