At least one member of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency team visited the Internal Revenue Service offices in Washington on Thursday as part of its effort to assess and possibly reduce the size of government agencies, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
The DOGE member, Gavin Kliger, made several requests, including a breakdown of what each business unit within the IRS does, its goals for the next 90 days, and the risks currently facing each unit, according to one of the sources.
CNN reported that it remained unclear if Kliger had accessed any IRS systems. A source told the network, however, that “he’s just getting a lay of the land at the moment.”
There was no indication on Thursday that sensitive IRS information had been accessed, but staffers were still on high alert, CNN added.
Recently, DOGE staffers gained access to a critical Treasury Department payment system, which a judge subsequently blocked. Few individuals have access to the sensitive IRS system, and it includes various security measures and checks to ensure that only authorized personnel can access it, according to sources familiar with the matter.
IRS officials sent an email to all agency staff that was obtained by CNN, which read in part: “Anyone getting an inbound on a group of high-profile visitors to the IRS should have them send their query to the inbox. We’ve elevated this inquiry to Treasury. We’re awaiting further instruction.”
The visit comes following a campaign pledge from President Donald Trump to reassess the size and scope of the entire federal government apparatus, agency by agency, with an eye toward reducing staff sizes and expenditures.
On Thursday, Trump commended DOGE for its progress, stating that while the team would focus on the IRS, it would not shut down the agency.
“No, but I think the Internal Revenue Service will be looked at like everybody else. Just about everybody’s going to be looked at… [DOGE is] doing a hell of a job, it’s an amazing job,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.
Several Democrats have criticized Trump’s bid to downsize the federal government, which has left many political observers perplexed since it is very popular not only with Trump’s base but a majority of all Americans, according to recent polling data.
Meanwhile, the White House sent termination notices to several U.S. Attorneys around the country who had been appointed by President Joe Biden, a move aimed at cracking down on officials who may be prone to disobey directives from the new administration.
An email, which was viewed by Reuters, from the White House’s deputy director for the office of presidential personnel informed recipients, “At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as U.S. Attorney is terminated, effective immediately.”
It was not immediately apparent that all U.S. attorneys received the White House termination notices. That said, several from Seattle to Maryland have resigned their positions.
Current and former Justice Department attorneys say that although it is common for U.S. Attorneys to resign following a change in the presidential administration, typically the incoming administration requests their resignations rather than sending them tersely worded termination letters.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath of San Diego, a Biden appointee, was among those fired. Her office reported late Wednesday that she received notification of her termination from the White House, which also thanked McGrath for her service.
Another Biden appointee, U.S. Attorney Erek Barron of Maryland, sent out a farewell email to the entire office shortly after the termination notices were sent, stating that his tenure “has come to an end.”
“It has been an honor to lead such a talented and dedicated team,” Barron wrote, according to a copy of the email seen by Reuters. He confirmed his departure in a post on LinkedIn on Thursday.