The White House’s new Department of Government Efficiency, or Doge for short, has raised some hackles. In fact, they just called for an emergency meeting with the Vera Institute of Justice. This request is a significant move for Doge. They would like to embed congressional staffers within the independent organization—an alarming potential step toward government overreach into the non-profit sector. The meeting request came just a week after the Vera Institute’s funding was unexpectedly canceled, intensifying scrutiny on Doge’s motivations and authority.
On the morning of April 11, Nate Cavanaugh, a member of the Doge staff, reached out to the Vera Institute of Justice. He would like to set up a meeting. What was the official purpose of the meeting, really? Unlike Doge, I would like to think that he actually cares about non-profits who rely on big federal dollars. Doge has created a precedent of bullying behavior towards public institutions. In the past, it has gone after agencies such as USAID and the congressionally funded United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
The Vera Institute of Justice responded with shock to Doge’s moves. Here’s their statement announcing their meeting request, outlining all that they found so concerning. The institute claimed that not agreeing to meet with Doge would violate an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. This order uniquely authorized Doge to interface with various NGOs. “Doge staffers Nick Cavanaugh and Justin Aimonetti informed us of its plan to assign a Doge team to the Vera Institute of Justice as part of its larger plan to assign Doge teams to ‘every institute or agency that has congressional monies appropriated to it’,” they stated.
A spokesperson from the White House rejected claims that Doge was planning on doing so in non-profits. This contradiction begs the question, where is the transparency and accountability from the administration. When pressed on Doge’s legal authority to investigate the private nonprofit Vera Institute, Aimonetti, the attorney, did not respond. His refusal to respond only furthered the appearance that the probe was a sham effort.
The Vera Institute is moving forward with plans to make its concerns public, as highlighted for potential targeting by Doge and the Trump administration. Insha Rahman, deputy director for strategy and implementation at the Vera Institute, echoed that alarm about what they view as a dangerous development. “We have watched this administration try to kneecap academia, law firms, media, and now they are coming for the non-profit sector,” Rahman stated.
This controversial episode amplifies a concern that there may be an increasing push from governmental entities towards independent organizations. The Vera Institute’s funding cancellation shortly before Doge’s meeting request raises further questions about the timing and intent behind these actions.
As non-profits across the country assess their relationship with federal funding, Doge’s recent activities may signal more extensive implications for organizations that rely on government support. Critics fear that this will create an environment of broad intimidation and chilling effect on the non-profit sector’s dissenting voices.