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Takeover

DOGE Is Putting Major Government Efficiency Projects at Risk

In its apparent quest to cut government spending and improve efficiency, DOGE has fired entire tech teams devoted to those very things.
Derp State

A Sensitive Complex Housing a CIA Facility Was on GSA's List of US Properties for Sale

Pentagon Cuts Threaten Programs That Secure Loose Nukes and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Documents obtained by WIRED show the US Department of Defense is considering cutting up to 75 percent of workers who stop the spread of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.

The US Army Is Using ‘CamoGPT’ to Purge DEI From Training Materials

Developed to boost productivity and operational readiness, the AI is now being used to “review” diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility policies to align them with President Trump’s orders.

The 50-Year-Old Law That Could Stop DOGE in Its Tracks—Maybe

At least eight ongoing lawsuits related to the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s alleged access to sensitive data hinge on the Watergate-inspired Privacy Act of 1974. But it’s not airtight.

National Science Foundation Fires 168 Workers as Federal Purge Continues

Firings at the NSF included permanent employees who had already completed their one-year probationary period, as well as at-will workers.

No, 150-Year-Olds Aren’t Collecting Social Security Benefits

Elon Musk claims to have found rampant fraud in the Social Security Administration. There’s a much simpler explanation.

How the US TikTok Ban Would Actually Work

The fate of TikTok now rests in the hands of the US Supreme Court. If a law banning the social video app this month is upheld, it won’t disappear from your phone—but it will get messy fast.

Meta Follows Elon Musk’s Lead, Moves Staffers to Billionaire-Friendly Texas

According to Mark Zuckerberg, Meta trust and safety workers will be relocated to Texas to prevent them from “censoring” users. Experts point to other advantages.

Meet the Conspiracy Filmmaker Who Claims to Have Red-Pilled Tulsi Gabbard

Mikki Willis, the maker of viral conspiracy film Plandemic, is seeking to leverage his relationship with Tulsi Gabbard to gain access to the new Donald Trump administration.

Top US Election Security Watchdog Forced to Stop Election Security Work

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has frozen efforts to aid states in securing elections, according to an internal memo viewed by WIRED.

Secret Phone Surveillance Tech Was Likely Deployed at 2024 DNC

Data WIRED collected during the 2024 Democratic National Convention strongly suggests the use of a cell-site simulator, a controversial spy device that intercepts sensitive data from every phone in its range.

The Top Cybersecurity Agency in the US Is Bracing for Donald Trump

Staffers at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency tell WIRED they fear the new administration will cut programs that keep the US safe—and “persecution.”

As Trump Takes a Victory Lap, the Crypto Faithful Kiss the Ring

The crypto industry is celebrating the return of Donald Trump to the White House in anticipation of an easier ride under his regime.

DOGE’s $1 Federal Spending Limit Is Straight Out of the Twitter Playbook

On this special episode of Uncanny Valley, we talk about Elon Musk’s move to put spending limits on US government employee credit cards, plus how DOGE is embracing AI.

DOGE’s Foreign Aid Cuts Have Sparked ‘Total Chaos’ Around the World

Human rights organizations say the cuts have undermined years of global democracy-building and free-speech initiatives and put the lives of their staff at risk.

Behind DOGE’s Many Conflicts of Interest and Elon Musk’s Weekend Email Chaos

On this special episode of Uncanny Valley, we dig into the many DOGE staffers keeping two jobs at once, plus what happened when US federal workers received an email from Elon Musk over the weekend.

DOGE Is Working on Software That Automates the Firing of Government Workers

Operatives working for Elon Musk’s DOGE appear to be editing the code of AutoRIF—software designed by the Defense Department that could assist in mass firings of federal workers, sources tell WIRED.

Latest

Maximally Transparent

DOGE’s Website Is Just One Big X Ad

Uncanny Valley

How We’re Keeping Tabs on DOGE

WIRED Politics Lab

DOGE’s Race to the Bottom

404 Not Found

US Government Websites Are Disappearing in Real Time