By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Billionaire Elon Musk’s U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) attempted to assign a team to the independent nonprofit Vera Institute of Justice, indicating a further expansion of DOGE’s influence over non-governmental organizations.

Key Quotes

“DOGE staffers Nick Cavanaugh and Justin Aimonetti informed us of its plan to assign a DOGE team to the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) as part of its larger plan to assign DOGE teams to ‘every institute or agency that has congressional monies appropriated to it,'” said the nonprofit, which advocates for lower incarceration rates.

Upon learning that the Department of Justice had recently terminated grants to the Vera Institute, the DOGE staffers withdrew their request to install a team, according to the nonprofit.

DOGE did not provide immediate public comments. A DOGE spokesperson mentioned that their actions align with Trump’s executive order that established the DOGE.

Why It’s Important

Since taking office on January 20, Trump and Musk have initiated a cost-cutting strategy in the federal government, resulting in program cuts, agency dismantling, and the layoff of over 200,000 federal workers.

It remains unclear how many other independent groups like the Vera Institute have been contacted by DOGE, but this would represent an increase in DOGE’s influence extending to private entities receiving federal funds.

Context

The Vera Institute reported that the Justice Department has revoked $5 million in federal grants it received and is currently appealing this decision. Vera has received $200 million in federal grants between 2005 and 2022 to provide legal services for undocumented immigrants seeking legal pathways in the U.S., according to the Washington Post. The nonprofit alleged that the Trump administration appears to be targeting it due to its public opposition to Trump’s mass deportation agenda and the reduction of federal funds for mental health and drug treatment.