By Jamie Martin
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained powerful access to the USDA’s National Payment Service system, which handles billions in farm aid and loans. The move is raising major concerns among USDA workers, farm leaders, and lawmakers.
Sources confirm that a DOGE staffer has access to view and edit sensitive farmer data, including personal and financial records, loan information, and subsidy details. This level of access allows changes to payments and even cancellation of financial support to farmers.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins had directed full access for DOGE staff, a step that some say goes against normal privacy and data protection rules. Within USDA, DOGE is now referred to as the “E Team,” or Efficiency Team.
The payment system is managed by the Farm Service Agency, which supports farmers through disaster aid, conservation grants, and low-interest loans. Experts caution that any fast changes made without deep knowledge of how these systems work could harm farmers, especially small and family-run operations.
Farm advocates say many producers are already hesitant to share data. If they feel their private information is not secure, they may stop taking part in important USDA programs like the ag census or conservation support.
The data in the system is much more detailed than what is publicly available and could include information tied to immigration status or past cases of discrimination. There are also fears that, if misused, the data could harm farmers' reputations or futures.
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Categories: National