1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,200 Speaker 1: Every time I hear Peace Corps. 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:05,000 Speaker 2: I have no idea why, but I always think about 3 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:07,120 Speaker 2: Cat Stevens Peace Train. 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 1: On the peace Train. 5 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:10,880 Speaker 3: I think of the Frank Zeppa song who Needs the 6 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:11,400 Speaker 3: Peace Corps? 7 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:14,120 Speaker 1: Oh, kind of relevant to what we're talking about today. 8 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 2: Play the song. I'm investigative journalist Jason Leopold. I spend 9 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,279 Speaker 2: most of my days getting documents from the government. 10 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:23,479 Speaker 3: I'm attorney Matt Tapik, and I fight them in court 11 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 3: to open their files when they don't want to. From 12 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 3: Bloomberg and no smiling, this is Disclosure, a podcast about 13 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 3: buying a loose government secrets, the Freedom of Information Act, 14 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 3: and the unexpected places that takes us. 15 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 2: So, man, I just want to give you a heads up. 16 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 2: I'm in the office today, but we may be interrupted 17 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 2: by a fire drill, which means that I will immediately 18 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:52,639 Speaker 2: have to exit the office. This is not like I'm 19 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 2: in high school where I'm like fire drill, I'm gone, 20 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 2: no need to return to school. Oh you just went home, then, 21 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 2: I like it. Yeah, I went home. Here, I actually 22 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 2: have to come back to the office. But in the meantime, 23 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 2: we've got Peace Corps to talk about. So back in April, 24 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 2: I saw a headline DOJE eyes cuts to Peace Corps 25 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 2: with in person visit and records access, and I was 26 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 2: like DOGE at the Peace Corps as far as I 27 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 2: was concerned. Two months into the Trump administration, you can 28 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:22,200 Speaker 2: never ask too many questions about what DOGE was up to. 29 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:26,120 Speaker 2: Basically what I started out doing just I don't know. 30 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 2: A week after Trump was sworn in as president, I 31 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 2: immediately began covering Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. 32 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 3: DOGE the government is just like the DMV that got big. 33 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,120 Speaker 2: When you say this's have the government do something something, 34 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:41,839 Speaker 2: you should think. 35 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 1: Do you want the DMV to do it? 36 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 3: I've instructed him to go check out education, to check 37 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 3: out the Pentagon, which is the military. 38 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 2: So I was following DOGE at this time, and also 39 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 2: following the individuals who worked with DOGE, young men and 40 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 2: women in tech, many who had work from US. And 41 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 2: what they were doing was season control of these agencies 42 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 2: to essentially dismantle the agencies under the banner of efficiency. 43 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 3: The administration, and we believe, driven largely by Elen Musk's priorities, 44 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:15,679 Speaker 3: really took a sledgehamber to the work we're doing. 45 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 1: This is the chainsaw of bureaucracy. 46 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 2: Early targets were the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Education, 47 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 2: the Department of Defense, and especially foreign aid programs programs 48 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 2: like the US Agency for an International Development USAID. In February, 49 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 2: DOGE went in there, and again, when I say Doze, 50 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 2: you have to think of it as four or five kids. 51 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,919 Speaker 1: They called them the Doge kits. They were in their twenties, 52 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 1: have zero experience working. 53 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:53,080 Speaker 2: In government, went into USAID, took over the agency, and 54 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:56,359 Speaker 2: they gained access to the data. They got a list 55 00:02:56,400 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 2: of all the contracts, They fired staff, and essentially, piece 56 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:05,040 Speaker 2: by piece, just dismantled this entire agency that's been around 57 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:06,080 Speaker 2: for decades. 58 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 1: DOSEE cut more. 59 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 2: Than eighty percent of USAID programs, basically overnight, programs for 60 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 2: HIV and AIDS, treatment and prevention, malaria, child healthcare gone. 61 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:23,760 Speaker 2: Thousands of grants and contracts were halted or completely terminated. 62 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 2: And now we're getting an idea that these moves at 63 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 2: USAID are already having a life and death. 64 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 1: Impact around the world. 65 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,640 Speaker 2: One group Impact Counter estimates that the program cuts have 66 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 2: already resulted in more than six hundred thousand deaths around 67 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 2: the world, including more than four hundred thousand children, and 68 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 2: this dismantling took place over weekends, right when no one 69 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 2: was working at these agencies, and there's so much secrecy 70 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 2: around DOGE. So I decided I want to find out 71 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 2: what's going on behind the scenes. And then I saw 72 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 2: this headline in the Guardian on April fourth. Think about it, 73 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 2: it's the Piece Corps. It wasn't like DOGE is going 74 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 2: into the NSA. It was just like really going into 75 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 2: the Peace Corps, Like what's going on there? 76 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 3: So the very next day, on April fifth, I filed 77 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 3: this request with Peace Corps. 78 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 1: And you have to remember, let's just go back to April. 79 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 2: It seems like a long time ago, but the public 80 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 2: really wasn't getting an opportunity to visualize what a visit 81 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 2: from DOGE more or less entailed. I mean we kind 82 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:30,840 Speaker 2: of heard bits and pieces of it. You know, they 83 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 2: were going into the agencies and demanding data, but really 84 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: what was happening behind the scenes, and I kind of 85 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 2: wanted to capture that through through documents. 86 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, and DOGE transparency is an issue that manifests itself 87 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:44,040 Speaker 3: in lots of different places. I mean, they were taking 88 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 3: the position that they're not subject to FOYA because they're 89 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 3: within the Executive Office the President, and you know that 90 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 3: would largely let them operate in secret while having let's 91 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 3: just call it, a significant impact on the federal government exactly. 92 00:04:56,640 --> 00:05:00,840 Speaker 3: So I asked for a whole bunch of different records. 93 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 2: I wanted to get a list of all the DOGE 94 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 2: employees who are onboarded at Peace Corps. One reason for that, 95 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 2: by the way, is that other than a few names, 96 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 2: the identities of those who were connected to DOGE was 97 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 2: a secret, so journalists were kind of scrambling to figure 98 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:22,720 Speaker 2: out who these people were. I asked for a list 99 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 2: of all the words that were banned or prohibited or 100 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 2: restricted from being used at Peace Corps in response to 101 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 2: Trump's DEI executive order, any requests for data that DOGE 102 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 2: had sought, all communications that reference DOGE. 103 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 3: So what kind of records did you get? 104 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 2: So it didn't take that long for the agency to respond, 105 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: but I entered into a negotiation with them, something that 106 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 2: I don't often do, Matt, as you know, because I 107 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:52,599 Speaker 2: wanted to get some records quickly, so I narrowed the 108 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:55,279 Speaker 2: request a bit. I told them that I would accept 109 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 2: these rolling releases right where they can send me documents 110 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 2: every month, and so the first batch of records I 111 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 2: received there were fifty four pages of emails from about 112 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 2: mid February to mid April. And what I got was 113 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:11,479 Speaker 2: a really great snapshot of what it's like to be 114 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:13,719 Speaker 2: inside of an agency waiting for Doge. 115 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,480 Speaker 3: Oh, waiting for Goo Doge. So where do we start. 116 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:18,240 Speaker 3: Let's go back to February. 117 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:22,599 Speaker 2: The Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, DC is a glassy 118 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 2: mid rise in NOMA. Its facade or rippling curtain of 119 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:31,920 Speaker 2: windows inside. I imagine staffers who keep the organization's global 120 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:36,839 Speaker 2: volunteer programs running are following front page news closely as 121 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 2: Doge descends on agencies all around them. 122 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 3: Breaking news are the future of the US Agency for 123 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:44,040 Speaker 3: International Development. 124 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:49,040 Speaker 2: Less than two miles away. On February first, USAID's website 125 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:53,000 Speaker 2: goes dark and staff emails shut down. Staffers were told 126 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 2: not to come into work today at the agency's DC headquarters. 127 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 2: Nine days later, just down the street from USAID, professors. 128 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:04,960 Speaker 3: Gather outside the CFPB's headquarters in DC. 129 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 2: DOSE shuttered the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau headquarters and demanded 130 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 2: employees stay home. 131 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 1: Do you hear everybody in the background? Let us LART 132 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 1: Doge's engine closer. They're going to put an epa'll put. 133 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 2: On February twelfth, landing at the Environmental Protection Agency, and 134 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 2: now it's February fourteenth, Valentine's Day. 135 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 1: An email goes out. 136 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 2: To Peace Corps staffers, and for the first time, doche. 137 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: Has entered inboxes at the Peace Corps. 138 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 2: Not literally, this is just the first email about Doge 139 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 2: according to my records. I mean, it kind of cracked 140 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 2: me up a bit because the subject line says Matt, 141 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 2: Welcome Team exercise, and it says team, we will be 142 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 2: running an exercise of our Welcome Team SOP, meaning standard 143 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 2: operating procedure. You will be contacted at some point during 144 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 2: the exercise two simulate the convening of the team to 145 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 2: welcome in simulated Doge team participants hold that hold that way. 146 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, I got to unpack this. 147 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 3: So they know DOGE is going to come at some point, right, 148 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 3: so they have like a designated welcome team. Okay, so 149 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 3: not too strange. But then they're doing drills, drills. 150 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:26,360 Speaker 1: Like the fire drill that I have coming up here, Matt. 151 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 3: It sounds like what would happen if like the head 152 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 3: of state from another country was coming for a visit, 153 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 3: you would have all these formal protocols and you would 154 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 3: rehearse and all that. And that's what they're doing at 155 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:41,560 Speaker 3: the Peace Corps, getting ready for Doge to come visit. 156 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:43,720 Speaker 1: Right, that's it. I mean, it's remarkable. 157 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 3: I guess it makes sense from the agency's perspective, like 158 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:49,560 Speaker 3: their future existence is on the line here, right, Doge 159 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 3: maybe coming in and wiping them out, So I could 160 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 3: see why they would be taking the visit very seriously. 161 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 3: So who sends the email? 162 00:08:58,040 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 1: Do we know? 163 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 2: While all the recipients and the sender, their names are 164 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 2: redacted under a privacy exemption, I'm not terribly interested in 165 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 2: you in the names. But really, again, I wanted to 166 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:13,319 Speaker 2: get these records and I wanted to try to get 167 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 2: them quickly. 168 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 3: Okay, so you get the welcome DOGE team email. What 169 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 3: else did you get? 170 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:23,400 Speaker 2: It's more emails about the build up to Doge's arrival. 171 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 2: And so there's another email in here, subject line DOGE 172 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 2: laptop preparation. I'm like, what's that about? Ooh, that's two 173 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 2: weeks later. But this email says see below for the 174 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 2: laptop preparation statements you requested and so there's a couple 175 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:45,120 Speaker 2: of scenarios here. It says scenario one that PC meaning 176 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:46,720 Speaker 2: Peace Corps, receives. 177 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:50,199 Speaker 3: DOGE names in advance, so if that happens, laptops will 178 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:54,160 Speaker 3: be immediately available to DOGE staff upon arrival at headquarters. 179 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 3: All laptops will be pre configured with the identified software installed, 180 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 3: accounts created, and acts. 181 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:00,679 Speaker 1: This is granted. 182 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 2: Scenario two, DOJE arrives unannounced, four laptops have been set 183 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 2: aside and pre imaged in preparation of doje's arrival. Upon 184 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:12,600 Speaker 2: receiving the names of the DOG staff, hosting services will 185 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 2: manually create their accounts. 186 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 1: Upon creation of their accounts, the service desk. 187 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:21,679 Speaker 2: Will immediately configure each laptop, load profiles, and install software. 188 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 2: OCIO that's the Office of the Chief Information Officer, will 189 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:28,440 Speaker 2: require ninety minutes from a receipt of the DOGE team 190 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 2: names to laptop prep completion. 191 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:32,400 Speaker 1: This is amazing. 192 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 3: This is painting a picture for me not of an 193 00:10:35,679 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 3: agency that's going to be confrontational with DOGE, but instead 194 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:42,319 Speaker 3: it's going to try to like be as accommodating as possible, 195 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 3: I guess, presumably with the hopes that that will help 196 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 3: them survive. Look how quick we look, we already have 197 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 3: your laptops ready, sir. 198 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:52,320 Speaker 1: Right. To me, it's kind of a it seems like 199 00:10:52,400 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: they're being compliant. 200 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 3: This is fascinating to me because this is painting a 201 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:59,720 Speaker 3: very clear picture of the impact that DOGE is having 202 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 3: on this particular agency. And I mean, there's whatever people 203 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 3: say publicly, and there's there's a there's there's a line 204 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:11,080 Speaker 3: of FOYA like court decisions that sort of talk about 205 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 3: the idea of like FOYA is really important for people 206 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 3: to understand like what's really going on, to understand whether 207 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,079 Speaker 3: there's a difference between what the government is saying publicly 208 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 3: and what the government is saying privately, and that is 209 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:27,079 Speaker 3: a core value that FOYA is supposed to be furthering. 210 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:30,319 Speaker 3: And what you've got here is, I mean, it's vividly 211 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 3: clear how Peace Corps was viewing this, just by seeing 212 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,439 Speaker 3: behind the scenes, how they're preparing to deal with. 213 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 2: It, right, and to be clear, they're not doing anything wrong, 214 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:45,040 Speaker 2: but it's like, wow, you know, look at what they 215 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 2: are doing just to a prepare for their arrival. 216 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 3: I think my own personal view is there is something 217 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 3: wrong with the scenario in which agencies, instead of like 218 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:56,680 Speaker 3: doing their work, are having to obsess over these kinds 219 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 3: of details for fear that they're just going to be 220 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 3: promptly like wiped out. I mean, that's we ought to 221 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 3: know that. I mean, that's a cost that is being paid. 222 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 3: That's an agency that isn't fulfilling its mission. And you know, 223 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 3: the people can dispute whether it's a mission that ought 224 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:11,840 Speaker 3: to be served or not, or whether it's obsolete, and 225 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 3: whether they're doing a good job or not, or whether 226 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,840 Speaker 3: we should get rid of them. But the reality is 227 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:20,040 Speaker 3: that the work of Peace Corps was clearly impacted by 228 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:22,960 Speaker 3: having to deal with all this, which shouldn't be surprising, 229 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:26,320 Speaker 3: but it's very vivid to actually see that manifest itself totally. 230 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 1: And so just about a week later, now we're in 231 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:29,719 Speaker 1: March third. 232 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:31,599 Speaker 3: Are the cherry blossoms out? This is this is the 233 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:33,760 Speaker 3: beginning of March. I think this is probably like cherry 234 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 3: blossom time, isn't it. 235 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:36,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm visualizing it. 236 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:41,679 Speaker 2: So another email subject line DOGE Welcome Team meeting and 237 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 2: again the sender and recipient of these emails those names 238 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 2: are Redactive Peace Corps Welcome Team. The DOGE team has 239 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 2: arrived at Peace Corps headquarters. 240 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 1: This is not a drill. Please join this welcome team. 241 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:59,839 Speaker 1: Call now, Mac, this is not a drill. 242 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 3: It's not a drill. 243 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 1: It's not a drill. How many explanation points? No, no 244 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 1: exclamation points, just a period. 245 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 2: So I should say that's my emphasis, but I guess 246 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 2: you could read it this way since there is no 247 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 2: explanation one. 248 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:12,560 Speaker 1: Oh my god. 249 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:15,719 Speaker 3: Well, by the way, speaking of drill, that is an 250 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 3: actual fire drill that's happening right now. 251 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: As this is not a drill, this is this is 252 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: not a drill. I literally have to go. I gotta go. 253 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:24,319 Speaker 1: I'm gonna be yelled out. 254 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 3: Okay, I guess we're going to a break now, and 255 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:30,559 Speaker 3: he's back. 256 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:33,320 Speaker 1: Matt. Right before I had a quickly exit for a 257 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: fire drill. 258 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 2: We were talking about these emails, and I actually think 259 00:13:38,679 --> 00:13:41,840 Speaker 2: the email that says this is not a drill is 260 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:45,840 Speaker 2: actually a drill because fast forwarding four days later, it 261 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 2: says in the subject line exercise and there's like stars 262 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:52,160 Speaker 2: next to exercise. 263 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:53,680 Speaker 1: Doge team in the building. 264 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:56,680 Speaker 2: So also I said that like read I read this 265 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:01,000 Speaker 2: email as if it had exclamation points, right, and actually 266 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 2: let me let me read it to you without the 267 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 2: explanation points. Exercise. Exercise exercise Peace Corps Welcome Team. The 268 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 2: DOGE team has arrived at Peace Corps headquarters. This is 269 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:12,320 Speaker 2: not a drill. Please joined this welcome team call. Now, 270 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 2: I don't think they were ever going to be excited 271 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 2: to have Doge. They're just like, hey, everyone, Dog is coming. 272 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 1: This is not a drill. The leader is here. The 273 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: leader is here. DOGE team is a run of the 274 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 1: Police Corps headquarters. Okay, this is not a drill. Okay. 275 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 2: So now we're going to jump to a March third email. 276 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 2: This is the same day as This is not a 277 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 2: drill email. 278 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: Okay. 279 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 2: So the subject line of this email is DOGE access 280 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 2: to PC systems. Now, this is just taking taking that 281 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 2: subject line and you know, kind of building off that. 282 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 2: That is really important because what has been presented as 283 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 2: highly controversial is doge's access to agency data systems databases. 284 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 2: Very is data systems. There have been stories published about 285 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:11,680 Speaker 2: dosh's access to IRS data, to data DHS and other agencies. 286 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:15,160 Speaker 2: So here is an email that says DOJE access to 287 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 2: PC systems. The only name visible here is Joaquin Ferau. 288 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 2: Joaquin is the Inspector General. 289 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 1: Of the Peace Corps. 290 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 3: The inspector, the Inspector General. He's the person, okay correct? 291 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 2: Joaquin Ferau is the Inspector General, has worked at Peace 292 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 2: Corps for nearly seventeen years, and the email says, Hi, Joaquin, 293 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 2: we compile the list of PC systems and started prepping 294 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 2: the procedures for providing access to them if and when requested. 295 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 2: The question came up as to whether IG systems should 296 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 2: be on that list, meaning the list of systems that 297 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 2: DOGE can gain access to. Nonetheless, I wanted to reach 298 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 2: out to you to determine if IG system should be 299 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 2: included or not. To date, I have not received any 300 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 2: guidance on how this is being handled at any agency. 301 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:08,960 Speaker 1: I appreciate your thoughts on this matter. And what so 302 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: I mean? 303 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:12,600 Speaker 3: Inspectors General played, you know, a very important role, a 304 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 3: role that is not unlike the role that DOGE was 305 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 3: purportedly going to be playing, right, And the job of 306 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:21,840 Speaker 3: the OIG is to root out waste, fraud and corruption 307 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:24,320 Speaker 3: in the agencies that they're involved. 308 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 1: With, right exactly. 309 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 3: And they're the watchdogs within government agencies that investigate waste, 310 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:39,000 Speaker 3: fraud and abuse, retaliation, harassment, whistleblower complaints. So what in 311 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:42,400 Speaker 3: inspect in inspector general data sets, like what kind of 312 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 3: stuff is going to be in there? 313 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 1: All they're investigative files. 314 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 2: So more than seventy government agencies have inspectors general and 315 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 2: so they conduct investigations, they field various complaints, and they'll 316 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 2: conduct interviews, and so the identities of whoever they conducted 317 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 2: interviews with, or if there's any whistleblowers in there, those 318 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:04,719 Speaker 2: will be that will be part of IG files. 319 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:08,720 Speaker 3: So the concern may be that you're giving DOGE access 320 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 3: to information about whistleblowers which might otherwise be protected or 321 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:15,040 Speaker 3: would otherwise be protected. 322 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:15,720 Speaker 1: Right exactly. 323 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:20,120 Speaker 2: But it's also important to note here that the Trump 324 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:26,720 Speaker 2: administration has fired many inspectors general since January, and the 325 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 2: administration is no fan of oversight. They are trying to 326 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 2: weaken IGS. So it's scrutiny for everyone else and essentially 327 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:38,200 Speaker 2: impunity for us. Right, we're going to come in and 328 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 2: we're going to dissect everything that was happening, but for 329 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 2: anything that happens going forward on our watch, there's no 330 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:47,639 Speaker 2: need for an inspector general to be nosed around causing trouble. 331 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: Right, we can do that. 332 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 2: I'm not saying that that has any direct connection here 333 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,679 Speaker 2: because no response to that email, or at least if 334 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:57,400 Speaker 2: there is one, it wasn't included in our batch of records. 335 00:17:57,680 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 2: So the next head of emails that we see March 336 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:03,760 Speaker 2: twenty fifth to twenty six, and it's the first time 337 00:18:04,359 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 2: that we're seeing a thread from Safety and Security. The 338 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:15,920 Speaker 2: timing of this correspondence is interesting because of what's happening 339 00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 2: at the US Institute of Peace, three miles west of 340 00:18:20,119 --> 00:18:22,720 Speaker 2: the Peace Corps. Dosh has been trying to take charge 341 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:26,879 Speaker 2: of another agency and one of the more unusual encounters 342 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:29,920 Speaker 2: breaking news about the Department of Government efficiency and the 343 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 2: showdown with the US Institute of Peace. So the US 344 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 2: Institute of Peace was created in nineteen eighty four as 345 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 2: an independent nonprofit funded by Congress. It's sort of a 346 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:43,840 Speaker 2: nonpartisan agency for studying conflicts and how to resolve them. 347 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:48,360 Speaker 2: In the late February, an executive order branded the US 348 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 2: Institute of Peace unnecessary and the administration wanted to dismantle it. 349 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 1: And in mid March, around the time these Peace. 350 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:02,560 Speaker 2: Corpt emails are circulating, a bunch of board members at 351 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 2: the US Institute of Peace are fired and there was 352 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:11,960 Speaker 2: a scuffle DOGE members accompanied by FBI agents to send 353 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:14,639 Speaker 2: on the US Peace building, but they can't get in. 354 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:19,200 Speaker 2: Two days later, FBI agents visit a security employee at 355 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 2: home trying to get access to the US Institute of Piece. 356 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:26,720 Speaker 2: They still can't get in, and finally, on their third attempt. 357 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:29,399 Speaker 1: Doge enters the building by. 358 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 3: Apparently threatening the federal contracts for. 359 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 2: The outside private security firm that the Institute employees. According 360 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:39,280 Speaker 2: to Politico, and US Institute of Peace employees then call 361 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:40,880 Speaker 2: DC police. 362 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:43,160 Speaker 1: And report Doge members for unlawful entry. 363 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:43,760 Speaker 3: Wow. 364 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean this was a big deal. 365 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:48,240 Speaker 2: The cops show up and to ultimately help Doge take 366 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:51,000 Speaker 2: over the building. So this is sort of a cautionary 367 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:54,560 Speaker 2: tail for what happens to these agencies when they resist 368 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:55,640 Speaker 2: Doge's efforts. 369 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:01,720 Speaker 3: So Institute for Peace is involved in a exactly that's 370 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:03,679 Speaker 3: what it was. I love it, and this story more 371 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 3: or less suggested it was a standoff. Well, because they 372 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:09,480 Speaker 3: they're like, no, you're not coming in, and they head right, 373 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:13,480 Speaker 3: they became the Institute of Confrontation right. 374 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:17,119 Speaker 2: And I should note I tried to reach the Institute 375 00:20:17,119 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 2: for comment and didn't get any response because Doge effectively 376 00:20:21,680 --> 00:20:26,520 Speaker 2: shut it down. So Matt these email exchanges are taking 377 00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:33,159 Speaker 2: place on the heels of a very public confrontation between 378 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:37,960 Speaker 2: DOGE and the US Institute of Peace. So let's go 379 00:20:38,200 --> 00:20:43,399 Speaker 2: back now to the email March twenty fifth from Peace 380 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 2: Corps Safety and Security. And again, this email has a 381 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 2: number of redacted names, but there are a couple that 382 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:58,520 Speaker 2: are unredacted, and those names are Karen Roberts and Nancy 383 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 2: or Bolsheimer, So Matt. Both Nancy and Karen are Trump 384 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:07,399 Speaker 2: appointees from the first Trump administration and have decades of 385 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:10,959 Speaker 2: experience working in Republican administrations and now they're back at 386 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 2: the Peace Corps for Trump two point zero. 387 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:15,359 Speaker 3: So there it sounds like like what some would call 388 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 3: deep state. 389 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 1: People borrowed, they burrowed in, they burrowed all right. 390 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:22,760 Speaker 2: Continue and the email says Nancy and Karen redacted reached 391 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:25,359 Speaker 2: out to let me know that you two should be 392 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:28,480 Speaker 2: added to the list of people that get notified in 393 00:21:28,520 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 2: the event a DOSEE team comes to visit Peace Corps headquarters. 394 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 2: I have the below contact information for you both. If 395 00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 2: a team does visit us, we will gather in the 396 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:43,040 Speaker 2: Harris Wafford Conference room on the second floor. I think 397 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 2: this email is really interesting because of what it says 398 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:49,800 Speaker 2: here if a team does visit us, like, are they 399 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 2: unsure if Doge is going to visit Peace Corps and 400 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:55,680 Speaker 2: has this planning that has taken place over the past 401 00:21:55,840 --> 00:21:59,960 Speaker 2: month been in preparation for a potential visit. If in fact, 402 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,359 Speaker 2: this is just kind of preemptive on the part of 403 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:06,159 Speaker 2: Peace Corps Matt that they have now spent a month 404 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 2: to kind of prepare for Doge's arrival. I mean, holy cow, 405 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 2: look at how much time they're investing. They seem to 406 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:17,200 Speaker 2: be taking a very different approach from Institute for Peace, 407 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:20,240 Speaker 2: who's like, get out of here, your trespassing exactly. 408 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:22,879 Speaker 3: We don't want to be like us Institute of Fake 409 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 3: Peace that gets into a confrontation with Doge. They're peace posers, 410 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:30,760 Speaker 3: you know. Yeah, they are the hair metal of Peace. 411 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:34,440 Speaker 3: We are the true hardcore. 412 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:37,159 Speaker 1: Members of Peace. We're the slayer of peace. We're the 413 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:38,080 Speaker 1: slayer of peace. 414 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:40,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, we're not the def Leppard of Peace. 415 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:43,640 Speaker 2: Okay, So the next email, now we're jumping table third, 416 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:46,920 Speaker 2: and here's where things start to ramp up. Subject line 417 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:50,720 Speaker 2: detail to the Peace Corps, and it says team I 418 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:53,919 Speaker 2: receive two phone calls within five minutes. I wanted to 419 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 2: bring it to your attention. Here's what I know. Phone 420 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:59,159 Speaker 2: call number one names redacted. He is serving as a 421 00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:03,600 Speaker 2: senior advice at the US Office of Personnel Management and 422 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:06,719 Speaker 2: introduced himself as a White House liaison. He advised me 423 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:10,440 Speaker 2: that redacted, so his person's name in an email address 424 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:13,840 Speaker 2: will be detailed to the Peace Corps. Phone call number 425 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:17,680 Speaker 2: two and then it says name redacted. Call to get 426 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 2: more details on her onboarding. She expects to be onboarded 427 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:25,280 Speaker 2: tomorrow with a laptop, badge and cell phone, she stated, 428 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:27,679 Speaker 2: who works for GSA and was originally going to be 429 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:30,919 Speaker 2: detailed to USA. She stated, she has directives. I'll be 430 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:34,400 Speaker 2: working with the Peace Corps in a leadership position short term. 431 00:23:34,680 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 2: But what's notable here is the mention of Office of 432 00:23:38,720 --> 00:23:42,280 Speaker 2: Personnel Management and the GSA. 433 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:42,760 Speaker 1: Right. 434 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:46,119 Speaker 2: So the reason I mentioned that is Office Personal Management 435 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:49,800 Speaker 2: is like the government's human resources department, and so many 436 00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:52,360 Speaker 2: of the DOGE folks when they were brought into government 437 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:55,600 Speaker 2: that became part of Office of Personal Management before they 438 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 2: were sent out to various agencies, and then GSA was 439 00:23:58,680 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 2: kind of like one of these first DAIS agencies where 440 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:04,120 Speaker 2: many of them went over to so I think that's 441 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:06,879 Speaker 2: a pretty notable email because it kind of gives us 442 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:10,879 Speaker 2: a sense of what's going on behind the scenes in 443 00:24:10,920 --> 00:24:13,920 Speaker 2: the build up toward Doge arriving at. 444 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:14,479 Speaker 1: The Peace Corps. 445 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:18,879 Speaker 2: Importantly, it's dated April third, twenty twenty five, right, so 446 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:21,400 Speaker 2: this is what is it? A day or two before 447 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 2: I followed my request, and then that evening Karen sends 448 00:24:26,480 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 2: an email. 449 00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:31,080 Speaker 1: You ready, Matt, I'm ready. I'm excited, Telly Jos's arriving tomorrow. 450 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 2: It says Doge will arrive at Peace Corps tomorrow, most 451 00:24:35,119 --> 00:24:40,119 Speaker 2: likely early afternoon, will need access to our systems and financials. 452 00:24:40,520 --> 00:24:44,680 Speaker 2: She is being lent to Peace Corps, so she will 453 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:46,560 Speaker 2: not be paid by Peace Corps. 454 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:47,159 Speaker 1: Interesting. 455 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:50,120 Speaker 2: We do not know how long she will be with us. 456 00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:53,399 Speaker 2: She'll be working over the weekend. She will let Nancy 457 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 2: or I know her arrival time and we will greet 458 00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 2: her on the first floor and take her to see 459 00:24:57,880 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 2: another person whose name is redacted on the scene second 460 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,159 Speaker 2: floor to get her badge so she can get underway. 461 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:06,200 Speaker 2: She will need a computer with access and most likely 462 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:09,240 Speaker 2: will need an office or conference room to work out of. 463 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 2: We gave Valves and a heads up that's Alison Green, 464 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:15,280 Speaker 2: the CEO, and she indicated we would huddle tomorrow morning 465 00:25:15,320 --> 00:25:18,159 Speaker 2: to discuss the details and review the plan best Karen 466 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:20,920 Speaker 2: and Nancy, they're getting ready to review the plan. 467 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:23,680 Speaker 3: Does this start to have like an office space kind 468 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:25,040 Speaker 3: of feel to you like it's. 469 00:25:25,160 --> 00:25:28,760 Speaker 2: Bob's Yes, it definitely feels that way, particularly like she 470 00:25:28,840 --> 00:25:31,720 Speaker 2: will need a conference room. And it's funny because you 471 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 2: know when I was reporting on CFPB, that's that's essentially 472 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:36,720 Speaker 2: where you know, the dog folks hold up like in 473 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 2: a conference room. They papered over the windows in the 474 00:25:39,920 --> 00:25:42,879 Speaker 2: conference room, make sure nobody could you know, could peek in. 475 00:25:43,760 --> 00:25:46,359 Speaker 2: So then you know the rest of the emails in 476 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 2: this kind of chain. The chief information officer says, I'm 477 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 2: kicking off the support process now and be ready to go, 478 00:25:53,640 --> 00:25:56,280 Speaker 2: looking forward to meeting with her, And then you know, 479 00:25:56,359 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 2: another email thanks Karen. As you know, the office next 480 00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:02,760 Speaker 2: to me is a bilbow exclamation point, probably the only 481 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:05,240 Speaker 2: exclamation point that I think we've seen thus far. 482 00:26:05,359 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 3: Why would there be an exclamation point there? 483 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:08,720 Speaker 1: Like put her here? 484 00:26:09,119 --> 00:26:12,240 Speaker 3: So now we're going to Friday, April fourth, I'm picturing 485 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:14,320 Speaker 3: like if this is a TV show, It's like the 486 00:26:14,320 --> 00:26:16,679 Speaker 3: screen flash is like, now it's that date and then 487 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:17,719 Speaker 3: the next day begins. 488 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:20,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, this is the moment we've been training for. We've 489 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:22,159 Speaker 1: been training for this moment. 490 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:25,280 Speaker 3: Can they feel it coming in the air tonight or today? 491 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:28,159 Speaker 1: Oh? Give it, we need the drum roll, Matt, you 492 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:30,680 Speaker 1: gotta go over. You're going to Yeah, exactly. 493 00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:34,440 Speaker 3: Can we call it like Peace Corps versus like Death Corps? 494 00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:36,400 Speaker 1: Oh? Yeah, DOJ the Death Corps. 495 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:44,280 Speaker 3: I'm eagerly awaiting how this goes. Friday, April fourth, the 496 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:49,480 Speaker 3: day DOJ's schedule to arrive, and around noon, the chief 497 00:26:49,560 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 3: information officer sends around and know about Joj's arrival. Cooperation 498 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:56,400 Speaker 3: is key. 499 00:26:56,640 --> 00:26:59,720 Speaker 2: The subject line of the email is system point of 500 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:04,240 Speaker 2: com intact access for DOGE team members. When if they arrive, 501 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:09,000 Speaker 2: good morning and happy Friday, Team Peace Corps. See that, Matt, 502 00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:13,920 Speaker 2: like that they're embracing that Team Peace Corps or team piece. Yeah, 503 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:17,240 Speaker 2: we will be welcoming the DOGE folks this afternoon. We 504 00:27:17,359 --> 00:27:20,040 Speaker 2: have been made aware that they intend to work on 505 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:22,520 Speaker 2: the weekends. You know, I have to do the lover 506 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 2: boy reference. 507 00:27:24,119 --> 00:27:27,119 Speaker 1: Everybody is working on the weekend. 508 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:30,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, well but that's you've you've completely inverted what that 509 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:34,920 Speaker 3: song is about the line is everybody's working for the weekend. 510 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:36,960 Speaker 3: Isn't it like you're getting your work done on Friday 511 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:38,320 Speaker 3: so you can party on weekend? 512 00:27:38,359 --> 00:27:40,200 Speaker 1: Really? Is is that it? I think? 513 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 3: So? 514 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:44,040 Speaker 2: Oh, you're right, Matt, everybody's working for the weekend. Yeah, 515 00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:46,960 Speaker 2: so we have been made aware that they intend to 516 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:50,160 Speaker 2: work on the weekend, so we will need you on standby. 517 00:27:50,359 --> 00:27:52,359 Speaker 2: It goes on to say, as discussed, you should be 518 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:56,560 Speaker 2: prepared to do the following to be as helpful as possible. 519 00:27:56,920 --> 00:28:01,199 Speaker 2: There's a bulleted list of six very specific constructions, but 520 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:06,040 Speaker 2: this one stood out to me. Under all circumstances, ensure 521 00:28:06,440 --> 00:28:10,280 Speaker 2: that clear records are kept on what is requested. 522 00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 1: What does that mean to you? 523 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:15,600 Speaker 2: Ensure that clear records are kept on what is requested 524 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:18,920 Speaker 2: and provided to your ad assistant director. 525 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:21,880 Speaker 1: And that says copying a couple of people. Yeah, yeah, 526 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:22,520 Speaker 1: makes sense. 527 00:28:22,560 --> 00:28:25,480 Speaker 3: I mean there, I think there's a lot of sensitivities 528 00:28:25,560 --> 00:28:27,560 Speaker 3: around and there have been a lot of disputes about 529 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:30,760 Speaker 3: what is doge entitled to or not right, And this 530 00:28:30,800 --> 00:28:33,560 Speaker 3: seems to be saying, if they ask for something, let's 531 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:36,600 Speaker 3: document exactly what they're asking for and let's make sure 532 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:38,720 Speaker 3: it goes up the chain so that they can get 533 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:41,280 Speaker 3: reviewed and approved, and if there's a dispute in the 534 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 3: future about what they're asking for, they want to make 535 00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:46,320 Speaker 3: sure that's documented, or if there's a dispute about what 536 00:28:46,360 --> 00:28:48,760 Speaker 3: they did access that there's a record of that. 537 00:28:48,840 --> 00:28:50,000 Speaker 1: Oh, that's what it sounds like to me. 538 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:56,640 Speaker 2: So again, they're probably reading the reporting around DOGE at 539 00:28:56,720 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 2: other agencies gaining access to systems the controversies connected to that, 540 00:29:02,760 --> 00:29:05,920 Speaker 2: and are kind of suggesting some proactive steps in the 541 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:10,280 Speaker 2: event that there's request access data systems. And that afternoon, 542 00:29:10,600 --> 00:29:15,800 Speaker 2: the DOGE employee arrives a Peace Corps to suss out waste, 543 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:16,680 Speaker 2: fraud and abuse. 544 00:29:16,920 --> 00:29:18,200 Speaker 3: All right, they're finally here. 545 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:21,040 Speaker 1: Here we go. So the emails don't. 546 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:25,400 Speaker 2: Say how the arrival actually went, but I'm imagining Nancy 547 00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:28,320 Speaker 2: and Karen greet her on the first floor. They escored 548 00:29:28,360 --> 00:29:30,720 Speaker 2: her to the second floor to get her badge, and 549 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,400 Speaker 2: then she settles into a conference room with her pre 550 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:38,000 Speaker 2: configured laptop with the identified software installed, just like they plan. 551 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:41,320 Speaker 2: And that evening, we're still on April fourth. Matt, the 552 00:29:41,400 --> 00:29:44,480 Speaker 2: Chief Information Office, sends a message to the whole team, 553 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:48,320 Speaker 2: and this is sort of a debrief team. As you 554 00:29:48,360 --> 00:29:51,600 Speaker 2: are probably aware, a DOGE employee visited Peace Corps today. 555 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:54,360 Speaker 2: She and a few of her colleagues will be working 556 00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:56,800 Speaker 2: here with us over the coming weeks. They will be 557 00:29:56,840 --> 00:29:59,880 Speaker 2: sitting in conference Room seventy to eighteen for the duration 558 00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:03,160 Speaker 2: of their stay. During their stay with us, please observe 559 00:30:03,240 --> 00:30:05,440 Speaker 2: the following. I'm cracking up that some of this are 560 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 2: generalised Rioto Matt. Do not not is in all caps. 561 00:30:09,760 --> 00:30:12,320 Speaker 2: Do not walk by the conference room to peek in. 562 00:30:12,720 --> 00:30:17,440 Speaker 2: The location was selected for their privacy. Be mindful of 563 00:30:17,480 --> 00:30:22,040 Speaker 2: your hallway conversations. Do not not, again in all caps, 564 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:26,480 Speaker 2: discuss their presence outside the agency. Do not share their 565 00:30:26,560 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 2: names with anyone. Be courteous and respectful of their time. 566 00:30:29,640 --> 00:30:32,720 Speaker 2: These folks are professionals with a big job to do 567 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,520 Speaker 2: and a narrow window in which to do it. We 568 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:37,959 Speaker 2: want them to be able to do their job safely 569 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:43,040 Speaker 2: and effectively. Your decorum and professionalism is expected. I mean, 570 00:30:43,480 --> 00:30:45,760 Speaker 2: do not walk by the conference room to peek in. 571 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 3: What I'd really like to hear is that read by 572 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:53,920 Speaker 3: the actor who played Tom Wamscan in succession? You back 573 00:30:53,960 --> 00:30:57,440 Speaker 3: off this an executive level of business, Okay. 574 00:30:57,520 --> 00:31:00,720 Speaker 2: You know I mean It's so funny because every time 575 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:03,880 Speaker 2: some kind of directive is handed down, you know, then 576 00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 2: the directive ends up being published by a media outlet. 577 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:09,560 Speaker 3: But you know, yeah, and this is a big deal, 578 00:31:09,640 --> 00:31:12,880 Speaker 3: Like I mean, imposing secrecy and government officials, Like there 579 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:15,760 Speaker 3: is some First Amendment law around this, and you know, 580 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:17,640 Speaker 3: there is a lot the government can do. But like, 581 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:21,320 Speaker 3: these things are restricting government officials' ability to tell the 582 00:31:21,320 --> 00:31:23,560 Speaker 3: public about what's going out in the government. Like, isn't 583 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:26,479 Speaker 3: really very democratic in my mind. I mean, there may 584 00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:29,920 Speaker 3: be some legitimate reasons, but not to like save. 585 00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:31,920 Speaker 1: Embarrassment or to minimize scrutiny. 586 00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:35,960 Speaker 2: Well, what would be the legitimate reason to not disclose 587 00:31:36,320 --> 00:31:39,360 Speaker 2: that there is a person from the Department of Government 588 00:31:39,360 --> 00:31:42,480 Speaker 2: Efficiency there? Why why keep that from the public. We 589 00:31:42,560 --> 00:31:47,440 Speaker 2: already know that Department of Government Efficiency exists. We already 590 00:31:47,480 --> 00:31:51,880 Speaker 2: know from Trump's executive orders that they are being tasked 591 00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:57,280 Speaker 2: with going into various agencies to basically check their books. 592 00:31:57,760 --> 00:32:00,000 Speaker 1: So why the secrecy around them. 593 00:32:00,440 --> 00:32:04,800 Speaker 3: I think they're just engaging what politicians forever engage in. 594 00:32:04,880 --> 00:32:09,120 Speaker 3: But this is exactly what they'd be criticizing prior administrations 595 00:32:09,240 --> 00:32:14,120 Speaker 3: for doing, like information blackouts, controlling the narrative spin. People 596 00:32:14,120 --> 00:32:17,320 Speaker 3: are tired of this stuff. It's frustrating to people who 597 00:32:17,320 --> 00:32:19,120 Speaker 3: want to understand what the government's up to, and then 598 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:22,320 Speaker 3: like they're trying to keep this kind of stuff secret exactly. 599 00:32:22,480 --> 00:32:26,240 Speaker 2: And to be clear, I'm not weighing in at all 600 00:32:26,560 --> 00:32:29,680 Speaker 2: on the partisan politics around this. For me, this is 601 00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:34,680 Speaker 2: just about straight up transparency, just finding out what's going 602 00:32:34,760 --> 00:32:36,360 Speaker 2: on in real time. 603 00:32:36,560 --> 00:32:38,760 Speaker 3: And I think our record in messing with the Obama 604 00:32:38,760 --> 00:32:41,920 Speaker 3: administration and messing with the Biden administration just as much. 605 00:32:42,120 --> 00:32:45,280 Speaker 3: I think it speaks for itself, like, this isn't about partisanship, 606 00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:48,440 Speaker 3: This isn't about politics. This is about you're the government 607 00:32:48,480 --> 00:32:50,040 Speaker 3: and you work for us, And I don't care what 608 00:32:50,120 --> 00:32:52,480 Speaker 3: party you're a member of. I don't care what policy 609 00:32:52,520 --> 00:32:54,600 Speaker 3: you're trying to further. If you're not willing to do 610 00:32:54,680 --> 00:32:56,480 Speaker 3: it in the open, then you don't deserve to be 611 00:32:56,520 --> 00:32:59,560 Speaker 3: in government. Everyone should just imagine what would the world 612 00:32:59,640 --> 00:33:01,840 Speaker 3: look like if the only thing that ever got reported 613 00:33:01,840 --> 00:33:04,160 Speaker 3: in the press is what the government puts in press releases, 614 00:33:04,280 --> 00:33:07,280 Speaker 3: in talking points. Nobody wants to live in that world, except, 615 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:10,320 Speaker 3: you know, maybe government officials. So these kinds of things, 616 00:33:10,360 --> 00:33:13,280 Speaker 3: they really if they're followed, they have the ability to 617 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:17,080 Speaker 3: just shut down news coverage and make Jason's job more difficult. 618 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:19,080 Speaker 2: By the way, the emails I received don't name the 619 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:22,440 Speaker 2: DOGE employee, but by evening on April fourth, there was 620 00:33:22,520 --> 00:33:25,440 Speaker 2: already a story naming a DOGE employee in The Guardian, 621 00:33:25,760 --> 00:33:28,920 Speaker 2: thanks to two people at Peace Corps who anonymously spoke 622 00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:32,400 Speaker 2: to her reporter there. They said her name was Bridget Young's. 623 00:33:32,800 --> 00:33:37,800 Speaker 2: So much for do not discuss their presence outside of 624 00:33:37,800 --> 00:33:40,840 Speaker 2: the agency, right. We don't know much about her, but 625 00:33:40,920 --> 00:33:43,760 Speaker 2: it's since been reported that she's twenty nine years old. 626 00:33:43,920 --> 00:33:48,160 Speaker 2: According to pro Publica's extensive database of DOGE members, Elon 627 00:33:48,280 --> 00:33:51,440 Speaker 2: Musk's demolition crew, as pro Publica called. 628 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:54,000 Speaker 3: Them, it kind of reminds me of the Motorhead song 629 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:55,040 Speaker 3: We Are the Road Crew. 630 00:33:55,440 --> 00:33:56,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, what else? 631 00:33:56,520 --> 00:33:59,479 Speaker 2: She previously worked as a senior manager at Ramp Charging, 632 00:33:59,560 --> 00:34:03,200 Speaker 2: a company that builds electric vehicle charging stations, and that's 633 00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:06,760 Speaker 2: according to an archive of her deleted LinkedIn profile. That's 634 00:34:06,760 --> 00:34:09,319 Speaker 2: another thing, By the way, many of these folks who 635 00:34:09,360 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 2: came to work for DOGE just to erase their digital 636 00:34:12,040 --> 00:34:15,279 Speaker 2: footprint deleted their social media accounts, and did so in 637 00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:17,680 Speaker 2: a way where like you can't even find much of 638 00:34:17,719 --> 00:34:21,240 Speaker 2: an archive. But before that she worked at New Energy Capital, 639 00:34:21,280 --> 00:34:22,799 Speaker 2: a clean energy investment firm. 640 00:34:22,960 --> 00:34:25,719 Speaker 1: So no government experience. 641 00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:29,319 Speaker 2: That we know of, and now she's coming into the 642 00:34:29,360 --> 00:34:32,120 Speaker 2: Peace Corps to you know, do her thing. She was 643 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:34,239 Speaker 2: only there a few hours, but would be back and 644 00:34:34,280 --> 00:34:36,520 Speaker 2: there could be more people from DOGE next time. 645 00:34:36,680 --> 00:34:39,239 Speaker 1: She'll be back. She'll be back. 646 00:34:40,600 --> 00:34:43,200 Speaker 2: The following Monday, and email went around to some employees 647 00:34:43,239 --> 00:34:47,200 Speaker 2: with a reminder, Hi, quick update. The DOGE team came 648 00:34:47,239 --> 00:34:49,640 Speaker 2: in to do an assessment, which is ongoing. They have 649 00:34:49,719 --> 00:34:52,799 Speaker 2: done the same at several other agencies that don't make 650 00:34:52,840 --> 00:34:56,440 Speaker 2: the press. The only reminder is if we do receive 651 00:34:56,640 --> 00:35:00,400 Speaker 2: media requests, to work with the communications team and not 652 00:35:00,520 --> 00:35:01,759 Speaker 2: respond independently. 653 00:35:02,360 --> 00:35:02,800 Speaker 1: Thanks. 654 00:35:03,560 --> 00:35:06,520 Speaker 3: I'm sorry you're talking about that, but a STFU. 655 00:35:06,200 --> 00:35:08,640 Speaker 1: Order, Yeah, have you ever received one of those? 656 00:35:08,719 --> 00:35:11,439 Speaker 3: I mean, it's like standard government fair that I've seen, 657 00:35:11,840 --> 00:35:14,960 Speaker 3: like both parties, all units of government the like. If 658 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:18,239 Speaker 3: there's a press inquiry, then make sure that it's the 659 00:35:18,320 --> 00:35:21,560 Speaker 3: people at the top who can control what's being said. 660 00:35:21,640 --> 00:35:24,640 Speaker 3: So you know, that's which is usually nothing right, which 661 00:35:24,680 --> 00:35:26,160 Speaker 3: is usually nothing right. 662 00:35:26,719 --> 00:35:29,440 Speaker 2: So what came of this in late April, the Guardian 663 00:35:29,520 --> 00:35:33,600 Speaker 2: reported Peace Corps to undergo significant cuts after Doze review. 664 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:38,320 Speaker 2: It reported that the CEO, Alison Green, sent an email 665 00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:42,360 Speaker 2: to staff offering them a second Fork in the Road buyout, 666 00:35:42,680 --> 00:35:45,360 Speaker 2: the first one being offered by Musk to all government 667 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:50,040 Speaker 2: employees earlier this year. Employees had seven business days to decide. 668 00:35:50,160 --> 00:35:52,920 Speaker 2: Then in August of this year, the Peace Corps announced 669 00:35:52,960 --> 00:35:57,840 Speaker 2: a shuffle in senior leadership. CEO Alison Green, among others, 670 00:35:58,080 --> 00:36:00,440 Speaker 2: step down to quote pave the way for a new 671 00:36:00,560 --> 00:36:04,920 Speaker 2: leadership team and guide the organizational transformations that will make 672 00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:07,959 Speaker 2: Peace Corps stronger and more efficient in the long run. 673 00:36:08,239 --> 00:36:10,960 Speaker 2: Karen Roberts stepped up as the acting chief of staff 674 00:36:11,040 --> 00:36:15,040 Speaker 2: until the administration selected someone else, which they did in September. 675 00:36:15,560 --> 00:36:17,640 Speaker 1: So we know about some buyouts. 676 00:36:17,080 --> 00:36:19,439 Speaker 2: And a staff shuffle, but we're still waiting to learn 677 00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:22,720 Speaker 2: exactly how many cuts were made. So far, this doesn't 678 00:36:22,800 --> 00:36:27,160 Speaker 2: look like it's as severe as the US Institute for 679 00:36:27,280 --> 00:36:30,840 Speaker 2: Peace or US eight. I tried to reach Bridget Young's 680 00:36:30,840 --> 00:36:33,680 Speaker 2: and didn't get a response, But right before we published, 681 00:36:34,000 --> 00:36:37,000 Speaker 2: the Peace Corps sent us this comment about Doge's visit, 682 00:36:37,200 --> 00:36:40,120 Speaker 2: which they said took place in April and may quote. 683 00:36:40,320 --> 00:36:44,040 Speaker 2: Peace Corps and DOGE staff work together respectfully and professionally 684 00:36:44,200 --> 00:36:47,440 Speaker 2: to complete the audits in a timely manner. They added 685 00:36:47,480 --> 00:36:51,680 Speaker 2: this about the cuts. Following the review, the agency determined 686 00:36:51,680 --> 00:36:54,319 Speaker 2: that certain positions could be reduced to carry out the 687 00:36:54,360 --> 00:36:59,760 Speaker 2: mission more efficiently without any impact on volunteer safety and security, health, 688 00:37:00,040 --> 00:37:04,440 Speaker 2: medical care, or quality of service. Peace Corps offered staff 689 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:08,800 Speaker 2: members a deferred resignation program option. In addition, the agency 690 00:37:08,840 --> 00:37:13,520 Speaker 2: reduced oversees local higher contractors. The Peace Corps continues to 691 00:37:13,560 --> 00:37:17,719 Speaker 2: support it's currently serving volunteers as health, safety and security, 692 00:37:17,800 --> 00:37:21,840 Speaker 2: and effective service, and continues to recruit, place and train 693 00:37:22,120 --> 00:37:23,200 Speaker 2: new volunteers. 694 00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:28,000 Speaker 3: So, Jason, you said you wanted an opportunity to visualize 695 00:37:28,400 --> 00:37:31,920 Speaker 3: what a visit from DOGE entailed and hope to capture 696 00:37:31,960 --> 00:37:35,600 Speaker 3: that through documents. Did the documents answer your questions? 697 00:37:35,760 --> 00:37:36,520 Speaker 1: Oh? Totally. 698 00:37:36,920 --> 00:37:41,759 Speaker 2: These documents really gave us a behind the scenes look 699 00:37:42,040 --> 00:37:45,960 Speaker 2: at the planning. In some cases, the fear, the anxiety 700 00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:50,600 Speaker 2: that was circulating right before Dog's visit. And I do 701 00:37:50,719 --> 00:37:54,640 Speaker 2: think that it gives us a visualization of what was 702 00:37:54,719 --> 00:37:58,239 Speaker 2: happening inside Peace Corps right before DOJ was coming in. 703 00:37:58,680 --> 00:38:02,200 Speaker 1: Was fascinating to me in obtaining. 704 00:38:01,640 --> 00:38:06,560 Speaker 2: These records is the level of detail, the fact that 705 00:38:06,680 --> 00:38:10,719 Speaker 2: they were planning for two months leading up to the 706 00:38:10,920 --> 00:38:14,920 Speaker 2: arrival at Peace Corps, the drills that were taking place. 707 00:38:15,120 --> 00:38:18,080 Speaker 2: I want the public to feel like they're a fly 708 00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:21,520 Speaker 2: on the wall and are right there when all of 709 00:38:21,560 --> 00:38:25,640 Speaker 2: this is taking place. So I think the documents are fascinating. 710 00:38:25,840 --> 00:38:28,360 Speaker 2: I want more. I want more of these documents. And 711 00:38:28,360 --> 00:38:30,680 Speaker 2: as I mentioned Matt, this is just the kind of 712 00:38:30,719 --> 00:38:35,960 Speaker 2: first interim release that we received after I negotiated with 713 00:38:36,040 --> 00:38:36,719 Speaker 2: the agency. 714 00:38:36,880 --> 00:38:40,000 Speaker 3: And I think it shows the impact that DOGE, in 715 00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:42,200 Speaker 3: the way it went about doing what it's doing, had 716 00:38:42,320 --> 00:38:44,960 Speaker 3: on the operations of government. I think to some extent, 717 00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:50,080 Speaker 3: it also shows how much the federal bureaucracy doesn't want 718 00:38:50,120 --> 00:38:54,000 Speaker 3: to change. That it's resistant to anyone coming in and 719 00:38:54,040 --> 00:38:57,680 Speaker 3: reviewing their operations and potentially finding that they're doing things 720 00:38:57,719 --> 00:39:01,799 Speaker 3: that aren't consistent with policy directives of this administration, or 721 00:39:01,800 --> 00:39:04,239 Speaker 3: that are inefficient, or whatever it may be. And so like, 722 00:39:04,400 --> 00:39:06,760 Speaker 3: I don't want to leave the impression, at least for myself, 723 00:39:06,760 --> 00:39:08,920 Speaker 3: that this is like DOGE is bad and the agencies 724 00:39:08,960 --> 00:39:11,200 Speaker 3: are good. I think the idea of what DOGE was 725 00:39:11,239 --> 00:39:13,719 Speaker 3: supposed to be doing is not a bad one. And 726 00:39:13,760 --> 00:39:17,000 Speaker 3: I think that agencies, to the extent they weren't cooperating, 727 00:39:17,160 --> 00:39:20,319 Speaker 3: were probably in many instances being motivated by their own 728 00:39:20,400 --> 00:39:24,960 Speaker 3: self preservation, which isn't necessarily consistent with a broader public interest. 729 00:39:25,360 --> 00:39:27,719 Speaker 2: True, and as I mentioned earlier, Matt, you know, this 730 00:39:27,840 --> 00:39:31,840 Speaker 2: is the job that inspectors General would perform for the 731 00:39:31,880 --> 00:39:35,320 Speaker 2: most part, looking into waste fraud and abuse, for example, 732 00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:40,920 Speaker 2: labor mischarging. That is what the watchdogs, the internal watch 733 00:39:41,000 --> 00:39:45,440 Speaker 2: dogs historically have done. But you can't get away from 734 00:39:45,520 --> 00:39:49,400 Speaker 2: the fact that there's a political agenda here. And with 735 00:39:49,719 --> 00:39:56,920 Speaker 2: agencies like USAID that were identified by Project twenty twenty five, 736 00:39:57,360 --> 00:40:01,279 Speaker 2: the reason was not so much much about waste fraud 737 00:40:01,360 --> 00:40:07,000 Speaker 2: and abuse, but the political and ideological associations with the 738 00:40:07,360 --> 00:40:11,480 Speaker 2: programs that, for example, USA Idea was funding. Project twenty 739 00:40:11,520 --> 00:40:14,359 Speaker 2: twenty five was essentially trying to make the case that 740 00:40:14,400 --> 00:40:15,960 Speaker 2: the US was funding abortion. 741 00:40:16,320 --> 00:40:18,359 Speaker 3: So, you know, Jason, I feel like I haven't heard 742 00:40:18,440 --> 00:40:21,120 Speaker 3: a ton lately about what's going on at DOGE, Like 743 00:40:21,160 --> 00:40:24,040 Speaker 3: what is going on these days? Well, dog is largely 744 00:40:24,080 --> 00:40:27,600 Speaker 3: faded from public view. Many of the DOJE employees, like 745 00:40:27,640 --> 00:40:32,319 Speaker 3: Bridget Youngs, they either became permanent government employees. They are 746 00:40:32,400 --> 00:40:37,200 Speaker 3: now attached to a specific agency or they left. 747 00:40:37,200 --> 00:40:40,319 Speaker 2: I mean Elon Musk is gone. So the whole sort 748 00:40:40,360 --> 00:40:44,360 Speaker 2: of idea of DOGE taking an act to these agencies, 749 00:40:44,400 --> 00:40:46,520 Speaker 2: I mean they first six months of the year, that's 750 00:40:46,520 --> 00:40:50,239 Speaker 2: what they did, but then it just completely faded. But 751 00:40:50,280 --> 00:40:54,560 Speaker 2: they still exist US DOZE Service is still an entity, 752 00:40:54,880 --> 00:40:57,880 Speaker 2: and as it relates to the Foyer, there's still a fight, 753 00:40:57,960 --> 00:40:59,759 Speaker 2: you know, to get those records. But for the most 754 00:40:59,800 --> 00:41:03,840 Speaker 2: part are those who were attached to DOGE are now 755 00:41:04,440 --> 00:41:09,160 Speaker 2: part of the government bureaucracy within other agencies. But yeah, 756 00:41:09,320 --> 00:41:13,759 Speaker 2: DOGE is not headline news the way it was for 757 00:41:13,800 --> 00:41:15,080 Speaker 2: the first six months of the year. 758 00:41:15,160 --> 00:41:16,839 Speaker 3: Well, you know, Jason, you know what they say about 759 00:41:16,880 --> 00:41:17,600 Speaker 3: peace right. 760 00:41:18,320 --> 00:41:24,360 Speaker 1: Peace sells, but who's buying peace? And but who's buying Oh. 761 00:41:24,200 --> 00:41:26,719 Speaker 3: That's perfect, you put a price on piece. I think 762 00:41:26,760 --> 00:41:29,120 Speaker 3: Megadeth is about to do like a final tour, right 763 00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:31,960 Speaker 3: they are final tour with Iron Maiden. We're going we're 764 00:41:31,960 --> 00:41:35,280 Speaker 3: getting backstage and we're going to interview Davi mis Staine. 765 00:41:35,040 --> 00:41:37,160 Speaker 1: About all this. What do you think I'm broke? 766 00:41:37,600 --> 00:41:45,280 Speaker 3: What a classic line? Better work biz Time from Bloomberg 767 00:41:45,320 --> 00:41:47,640 Speaker 3: and No Smiling. This is Disclosure. 768 00:41:48,080 --> 00:41:51,320 Speaker 2: The show is hosted by Matt Topik and me Jason Leopold. 769 00:41:51,719 --> 00:41:55,280 Speaker 2: It's produced by Heather Schroing and Sean Cannon for No Smiling. 770 00:41:55,520 --> 00:41:59,400 Speaker 2: Our editor for Bloomberg is Jeff Grocott. Our executive producers 771 00:41:59,400 --> 00:42:03,759 Speaker 2: for Bloomberg are Sagebauman and me Jason Leopold, and our 772 00:42:03,800 --> 00:42:07,840 Speaker 2: executive producers for No Smiling are Sean Cannon, Heather Schrowing 773 00:42:08,000 --> 00:42:11,960 Speaker 2: and Matt Topic. The Disclosure theme song is by Nick, 774 00:42:12,320 --> 00:42:15,600 Speaker 2: with additional music by Nick and Epidemic Sound. 775 00:42:16,239 --> 00:42:18,560 Speaker 1: Sound design and mixing is by Sean Cannon. 776 00:42:18,960 --> 00:42:22,440 Speaker 2: For more transparency news and important document thumps, you can 777 00:42:22,480 --> 00:42:26,600 Speaker 2: subscribe to my Weeklyfoya Files newsletter at Bloomberg dot com 778 00:42:26,640 --> 00:42:32,360 Speaker 2: slash Foya Files. That's Foia Files. To get every episode 779 00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:36,440 Speaker 2: early on Apple Podcasts. Become a Bloomberg dot com subscriber today. 780 00:42:37,080 --> 00:42:39,799 Speaker 2: Check out our special intro offer right now at Bloomberg 781 00:42:39,880 --> 00:42:42,279 Speaker 2: dot com Slash podcast offer. 782 00:42:42,280 --> 00:42:43,800 Speaker 1: Or click the link in the show notes. 783 00:42:44,080 --> 00:42:48,200 Speaker 2: You'll also unlock deep reporting data and analysis from reporters 784 00:42:48,239 --> 00:42:49,000 Speaker 2: around the world. 785 00:42:49,440 --> 00:42:54,080 Speaker 3: We'll see you again next Tuesday. 786 00:42:55,160 --> 00:42:57,400 Speaker 1: What do you mean I can't get to work on time? 787 00:42:57,680 --> 00:43:01,320 Speaker 1: Got nothing better? To do a new way,