House Democrats accuse DOGE of ‘breaking the government’
The Hill
by Fiona BorkFebruary 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
House Democrats have released a scathing report accusing President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of failing in its primary mission and instead prioritizing the interests of Trump’s wealthy allies over the broader public good. The 47-page report, published by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, argues that DOGE, which was supposed to focus on reducing federal costs and improving government efficiency, ended up exacerbating inefficiencies and increasing spending. Democrats assert that DOGE’s actions were counterproductive, leading to a breakdown in key government functions and undermining trust in federal operations.
The report highlights how DOGE, established during Trump’s presidency as part of his broader deregulation agenda, was tasked with streamlining federal operations but instead became a tool for advancing policies favoring Trump’s wealthy supporters. Democrats claim that DOGE neglected critical areas such as healthcare, immigration, and environmental regulation, while diverting resources to benefit private interests tied to the administration. This misalignment of priorities, according to the report, not only failed to reduce government costs but also contributed to a chaotic and ineffective regulatory environment.
The significance of this critique lies in its political implications for evaluating Trump’s legacy and the broader debate over government reform. Democrats argue that DOGE’s failure underscores the dangers of prioritizing partisan agendas over governance that serves the public interest. The report could serve as a key reference point in ongoing discussions about the balance between deregulation and effective oversight, particularly as policymakers consider future reforms. By framing DOGE’s actions as a systemic failure, House Democrats aim to highlight the potential risks of unchecked influence by private interests on government decision-making.
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Originally published on The Hill on 2/13/2026