Ultimate Guide for DOGE Whistleblowers

Multiple Individuals Have Already Filed Whistleblower Complaints Against DOGE

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) established during the second Trump administration was tasked with exposing fraud both within and outside of the federal government. While Reuters and other media outlets have reported that DOGE disbanded months ahead of its scheduled end date of July 2026, Elon Musk stated that the DOGE team was continuing to target “waste and fraud” as of December 2025.

During its tenure, DOGE has been plagued by a variety of accusations of both ineffective and improper conduct. While some of these accusations have come from the media, the most serious concerns have come from whistleblowers. Whistleblowers play an important role in exposing bad actors and administrative misconduct throughout the federal government—including at DOGE and other agencies.

DOGE Whistleblowers Allege Improper Access to Sensitive Data (Including Personally Identifiable Information (PII))

In April 2025, two DOGE whistleblowers filed a complaint alleging that DOGE employees had improperly accessed sensitive information maintained by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). According to a press release from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:

“After obtaining multiple credible . . . whistleblower reports that DOGE is . . . compiling a ‘master database’ of Americans’ most sensitive data that risks exposure and exfiltration, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member . . . sent a letter to . . . the Assistant Inspector General for Audit Performing the Duties of the Inspector General at the [SSA], demanding an immediate investigation to stop further damage to the agency and prevent a disruption in benefits payments and/or massive and unprecedented data breach stemming directly from DOGE’s actions.”

As reported by various media outlets, DOGE employees accessed this information—including sensitive personal data—through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Whistleblowers alleged that DOGE team members ignored and bypassed security protocols in order to access secure environments, gaining access through newly created DOGE accounts, and then copied SSA data without adequate oversight measures in place to ensure that the data remained secure.

Subsequently, whistleblowers allege, DOGE team members uploaded copies of taxpayers’ sensitive personal information to a vulnerable cloud server. These actions are the subject of legal challenges and ongoing legal cases in Washington D.C. and across the country; and, with significant personnel reductions at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and other key government agencies, the federal government is struggling to both assess and contain the fallout of DOGE officials and employees’ alleged improper actions.

While many whistleblowers choose to remain confidential, in this case, both of the whistleblowers who exposed DOGE’s access to the American public’s data have been identified. Charles Borges, the SSA’s Chief Data Officer, filed a whistleblower complaint with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) through his attorneys. Daniel Berulis, an information technology (IT) worker at the NLRB, also reported DOGE’s alleged improper access to the government. Berulis raised concerns after noticing suspicious activity linked to the newly created DOGE accounts used to access SSA data. According to NPR:

“Within minutes after DOGE accessed the NLRB’s systems, someone with a [Russian] IP address . . . started trying to log in, according to Berulis’ disclosure. The attempts were ‘near real-time,’ according to the disclosure. Those attempts were blocked, but they were especially alarming. Whoever was attempting to log in was using one of the newly created DOGE accounts — and the person had the correct username and password, according to Berulis. While it’s possible the user was disguising their location, it’s highly unlikely they’d appear to be coming from Russia if they wanted to avoid suspicion . . . .”

According to the Government Accountability Project (GAP), Borge’s whistleblower complaint alleges, “‘systemic data security violations, uninhibited administrative access to highly sensitive production environments, and potential violations’ of security protocols and federal privacy laws by DOGE personnel,” among a variety of other issues. The GAP also reports that Borge’s complaint warned, “[s]hould bad actors gain access to [the] cloud environment [where DOGE personnel uploaded SSA data], Americans may be susceptible to widespread identity theft, may lose vital health care and food benefits, and the government may be responsible for reissuing every American a new Social Security number at great cost.”

From members of Congress to officials at the General Services Administration (GSA) and other federal agencies, leaders across the federal government have raised serious concerns about DOGE’s failure to protect vital information. However, they have only been able to do so because Borges and Berulis chose to come forward. The government relies heavily on whistleblowers to expose wrongdoing both within and outside of its walls, and it remains to be seen what other DOGE whistleblowers may expose in the future.

Who Can Serve as a DOGE Whistleblower?

Individuals both within and outside of the federal government may be eligible to serve as DOGE whistleblowers. From improper data sharing and uploading sensitive data to a vulnerable cloud environment to discrimination, harassment, and other abuses of authority, whistleblowers can report any and all violations of federal law by DOGE personnel.

Those who may be eligible to serve as DOGE whistleblowers include:

Members of the DOGE Team

Members of the DOGE team may be eligible to serve as whistleblowers under the Whistleblower Protection Act. Since DOGE is a federal agency, its employees are generally entitled to the same rights and protections as other members of the federal workforce in similar positions. DOGE employees who have information about improper use or disclosure of SSA data or proprietary corporate data, information about individuals or organizations improperly granted access to such data, or any other violations of federal laws or regulations by DOGE personnel may be eligible to come forward.

Other Federal Government Employees

Along with DOGE employees, other federal government employees can serve as whistleblowers as well. Whether a DOGE employee requested access to agency data from you or one of your coworkers, you have information about a DOGE employee improperly terminating federal positions, or you have information about any other unlawful acts undertaken on behalf of DOGE, you may be eligible to file a complaint under the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA). Whistleblower disclosures filed under the WPA are subject to stringent confidentiality protections, and federal employees who come forward under the WPA are entitled to confidentiality protections and anti-retaliation protections as well.

Federal employees who may be able to serve as DOGE whistleblowers include (but are not limited to) employees of:

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
• General Services Administration (GSA)
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
• Social Security Administration (SSA)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

If your agency granted DOGE access to sensitive data or you have information about unlawful DOGE practices through other means, our lawyers can assess your eligibility to serve as a whistleblower under the WPA. If you are eligible, we can help you make an informed decision about whether to come forward; and, if you decide to come forward, our lawyers will communicate with the government on your behalf every step of the way.

Former Federal Government Employees

From former CISA employees to former members of the SSA’s Information Security Team, former employees from across the federal government remain eligible to serve as DOGE whistleblowers as well. If you worked for any federal department or independent federal agency and have information about disabling security controls, unauthorized access, or any other form of misconduct by DOGE personnel, we strongly encourage you to speak with a federal whistleblower lawyer at our firm promptly.

Many former federal employees remain dedicated to serving the United States, and coming forward as a whistleblower is one of the most effective ways to do this as a former federal worker. Additionally, those who lost their jobs due to unlawful DOGE cuts or other prohibited personnel practices may be eligible for reinstatement, back pay, and/or other remedies as well.

Other Individuals Who Uncover Evidence of Unlawful Conduct

Individuals who work in the private sector may also be eligible to serve as DOGE whistleblowers. If you have received information from a current or former DOGE employee about (or related to) a violation of federal law, we want to hear from you. Along with representing current and former federal employees, we also have significant experience representing whistleblowers in the private sector. Here too, our lawyers can determine if you are eligible to serve as a whistleblower; and, if you are, we can prepare your whistleblower complaint, file it with the appropriate federal agency, and then deal with this agency on your behalf.

What Is Involved in Serving as a DOGE Whistleblower?

The steps involved in serving as a DOGE whistleblower vary for current federal employees, former federal employees, and individuals in the private sector. As a result, regardless of your current (or former) position, it is important to work with an experienced lawyer who can explain your situation and help you make informed decisions based on your specific circumstances.

While the specific steps that whistleblowers need to take when contacting the federal government vary, there are some overarching legal and practical considerations involved. With this in mind, if you are thinking about (or have questions about) serving as a DOGE whistleblower, here is an overview of what you need to know:

1. You Should Contact an Experienced Whistleblower Attorney Promptly

If you are interested in potentially serving as a DOGE whistleblower, you should contact an experienced whistleblower attorney promptly. In this scenario, there are both steps you need to take and mistakes you need to avoid, and an experienced attorney will be able to help you take your next steps with confidence. Our attorneys are available to speak with prospective whistleblowers around the clock.

2. You Should Only Share Your Information with Your Attorney

At this stage, you should only share the information you have in your possession with your attorney. If you share it with the news media or on social media first, this could preclude you from securing protected whistleblower status. Again, your attorney can help you make informed decisions—focused on both your best interests and the best interests of the American public.

3. Your Attorney Can Help You Decide Whether to File a Complaint

After reviewing the information you have in your possession, your attorney will be able to help you decide whether to file a complaint. When you schedule a free consultation at Oberheiden P.C., we do not expect you to be committed to moving forward. Our attorneys are available to answer your questions about serving as a whistleblower; and, if you decide not to move forward for any reason, you will still owe us nothing.

4. Your Attorney Can Prepare Your Complaint and File It for You

If you decide that you do want to move forward, a federal whistleblower attorney at our firm will prepare your complaint and file it with the appropriate federal authority on your behalf. We have experience working with a wide range of federal authorities, and our team includes both former prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and former investigative agents who served in multiple agencies.

5. You Will Need to Work with Your Attorney to Protect Your Identity (if Desired)

If you decide to come forward and you want to protect your identity, you will need to work with your attorney to do so. Your attorney will be able to work with the government to protect your identity on your behalf, but it is also up to you to make sure you do not inadvertently disclose your status as a whistleblower. Our attorneys can explain everything you need to know during your free consultation.

FAQs: Filing a Whistleblower Complaint Against DOGE Personnel

Contact the Federal Whistleblower Lawyers at Oberheiden P.C.

If you have questions about serving as a DOGE whistleblower, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. We represent whistleblowers nationwide, including both public-sector and private-sector employees. To schedule a free and confidential consultation with a federal whistleblower lawyer at Oberheiden P.C. as soon as possible, call us at 888-680-1745 or contact us confidentially online now.