USDA Faces Scrutiny Over DOGE Data System Access
A recent report reveals that a staff member from the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, has gained top-level access to a major USDA payment system. This system, called the National Payment Service, manages billions in federal payments and loans to farmers and ranchers across the United States.
Internal logs shared by USDA employees show that a DOGE staffer, formerly a software engineer, received access that allows them to view and change private data. This includes information related to farm subsidies, loans, and disaster payments. The access reportedly exceeds the usual permission levels given to USDA employees, raising concerns about how this data might be used or misused.
The access stems from a directive by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who ordered full transparency for DOGE. Some USDA insiders now refer to DOGE as the “Efficiency Team,” though questions remain about the team’s role and oversight.
While USDA programs are often seen as complex and outdated, rapid changes by teams unfamiliar with agricultural systems could disrupt vital support to farmers—especially small and family-owned farms. Experts warn that such access, if not closely monitored, may cause long-term damage.
Farm groups and policymakers worry that this deep access might put sensitive personal, financial, and demographic data at risk. There are also concerns that misuse could lead to canceled loans or denied aid, particularly for minority or immigrant farmers.
If combined with other government records, this data could build detailed profiles of farmers’ lives. This raises alarms about both privacy and national food security.