Since 2020, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) uncovered $382 million in fraudulent unemployment payments, with California, New York, and Massachusetts—Democrat-led states—accounting for $305 million.
California alone distributed 68% of benefits to parolees flagged on the terror watchlist.
DOGE also found benefits issued to individuals with fake birth records, some over 115 years old or not yet born. DOGE reported weak immigration screening under the Biden administration led to over 6,000 flagged individuals receiving public benefits.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields blamed Democrat policies for mismanagement. DOGE estimates it will save $150 billion in fiscal year 2026 by reducing waste.
Elon Musk, leading the initiative, called some programs “absurd.” DOGE has already saved each taxpayer $931, though Musk revised his original $2 trillion savings goal to a more realistic $1 trillion.
