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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 11h

In case you missed it: our latest investigation, in partnership with @motherjones.com ⬇️

A massive DHS contract worth up to $915 million was handed to a firm with “no track record” as a federal contractor, a rival's lawsuit alleges.

Massive DHS "Self-Deportation" Contract Challenged as Secretive and...

The “rushed” deal worth up to $915 million was handed to a firm with “no track record” as a federal contractor, a rival's lawsuit alleges.

www.pogo.org

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 2d

We're glad to see Governor Stitt speaking out about the deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois.

Just goes to show this shouldn't be a partisan issue-- it's a constitutional one.

Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Criticizes National Guard Deployment in Chicago

www.nytimes.com

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 2d

THE LATEST FROM POGO'S INVESTIGATIONS DESK:

Earlier this year, DHS handed a massive contract to a relatively new company with no federal contracting experience.

Records obtained by @motherjones.com reveal the involvement of a senior DHS official who once worked with the company’s CEO.

Learn more:

Massive DHS "Self-Deportation" Contract Challenged as Secretive and…

The “rushed” deal worth up to $915 million was handed to a firm with “no track record” as a federal contractor, a rival's lawsuit alleges.

www.pogo.org

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 3d

The president's executive order on Info Silos enables deportation goals at the expense of privacy.

Read more:

Pitfalls of Trump’s Info Silo Executive Order Compromise Privacy

Trump’s executive order isn’t about efficiency. It goes against data security best practices and enables deportation goals at the expense of privacy.

www.pogo.org

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 3d

With this vote, 51 senators failed to rein in the president's blatant abuse of war powers against cartels.

Every senator who voted against this resolution ceded their constitutional power to the president.

Senate rejects effort to curb Trump's power to target alleged drug boats

The resolution was led by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.)

www.axios.com

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 4d

"Don Bell, policy counsel at the Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight, an advocacy group, warned that the surveillance tools could let ICE get around the privacy protections of the warrant process and the Fourth Amendment."

ICE buys tool to monitor millions of smartphones. Experts say it's dangerous

Move comes after immigration agencies ceased buying some location data during Biden administration after inspectors found they abused privacy protections

www.independent.co.uk

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 4d

Once again the executive branch is attempting to go around the Senate's Constitutional role, this time putting a new "CEO" in place at the IRS. On top of the clear overreach at hand here, this raises serious privacy concerns about the consolidation of IRS and Social Security data.

Bisignano to lead IRS in addition to SSA duties, raising questions about the Senate confirmation process

Experts warned that the move could further facilitate the consolidation of Social Security and IRS databases for use in immigration enforcement.

www.govexec.com

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 5d

"But @virginiajburger.bsky.social said the simple presence of heavily armed military personnel on the streets set a dangerous precedent: 'It’s just getting people used to having what is essentially an overtly authoritarian presence in their streets.'”

Trump plans to ‘use American cities as training grounds’

Deep in the woods on Marine Corps Base Quantico, dozens of newly commissioned officers prepare for their assault on Mout Town, creeping through the trees...

observer.co.uk

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 6d

In the face of the dangerous overreach that these deployments represent, we're glad to see the judiciary ruling in favor of the constitution.

As Judge Immergut's decision says “This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law"

Federal judge halts Trump administration’s call-up of National Guard in Portland

“This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law,” wrote U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee.

www.politico.com

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 6d

It’s just ONE DAY until our letter to the editor training!

We’re hosting an Advocacy Training TOMORROW, Tuesday night, where you can get the skills you need to make your voice heard. Learn more:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: POGO Letter to the Editor Training: Domestic Deployment. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

What is a letter to the editor? Why are they useful? How do you begin writing one? Join us on Tuesday, October 7th to explore the answers to these questions and start writing your own letter to the editor focused on domestic deployment!

zoom.us

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 9d

COMING UP ON TUESDAY: our letter to the editor training!

Join us on Tuesday night at 8 PM ET to learn the ABCs of LTE's-- what they are, writing your letter, how you can pitch publications, and more.

Get more info and sign up here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: POGO Letter to the Editor Training: Domestic Deployment. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

What is a letter to the editor? Why are they useful? How do you begin writing one? Join us on Tuesday, October 7th to explore the answers to these questions and start writing your own letter to the ed...

zoom.us

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 9d

Real accountability only exists when people can safely speak out about government misconduct. If you are thinking about blowing the whistle, POGO is here to offer support:

Whistleblower Resources

We offer several resources for federal employees thinking about blowing the whistle.

www.pogo.org

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 9d

Then, an NIH scientist was fired for defending scientific integrity.

Kennedy Fires N.I.H. Scientist Who Filed Whistle-Blower Complaint

www.nytimes.com

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 9d

First, two HUD lawyers were fired after speaking out about being limited in enforcing the Fair Housing Act.

Two HUD Civil Rights Lawyers Dismissed After Raising Concerns About Fair Housing Act Enforcement

www.nytimes.com

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 9d

This week, we've seen multiple attacks on whistleblowers who were trying to speak out about dangers to public health & safety. Retaliating against them puts us all at risk.

These are just the latest examples of this admin's efforts to silence dissent, attack whistleblowers, & undermine watchdogs.

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 9d

The Program Integrity Alliance is doing a great public service by restoring access to oversight reports and recommendations, after thousands of oversight websites were shut down earlier this week.

It's essential that these documents remain available! https://programintegrity.org/search/

Search - Program Integrity Alliance

Explore government data sources with our custom search engine.Learn about our approach and what makes it unique in the FAQ.

programintegrity.org

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 9d

The executive branch does not have the authority to get the United States into armed conflicts. And it cannot turn noncombatants into military targets just by saying they are so.

This is explicitly unconstitutional, illegal violence.

Trump says US is in 'armed conflict' with drug cartels after ordering strikes in the Caribbean

President Donald Trump has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants and says the United States is now in an “armed conflict."

apnews.com

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 10d

Read our full statement on the Trump administration defunding CIGIE:

“The administration is moving to defund a critical government watchdog group, undermining accountability and transparency across the federal government."

Trump Administration’s Cuts to Federal Watchdog Council Would Weaken…

This move will make it harder for federal watchdogs to do their job and for whistleblowers to expose wrongdoing.

www.pogo.org

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 10d

BIG NEWS: Season 2 of our podcast, Bad Watchdog, is a finalist for two @signalawards.bsky.social!

This is where you come in-- please take a moment to vote for us:

The Signal Listener's Choice Award needs YOU

I just voted for this finalist to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award. You should too.

vote.signalaward.com

Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 10d

Just two years ago, DHS' own watchdog found CBP & ICE were violating privacy policies & breaking the law in how it handled location data. Now this. These tools are dangerous in any government's hands.

ICE to Buy Tool that Tracks Locations of Hundreds of Millions of Phones Every Day

Documents show that ICE has gone back on its decision to not use location data remotely harvested from peoples' phones. The database is updated every day with billions of pieces of location data.

www.404media.co

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 11d

This Pentagon plan to clamp down in whistleblowing is a serious attack on government accountability and transparency. This policy risks silencing anyone who would dare to speak out against corrupt officials.

Hegseth to upend troops’ access to watchdog, whistleblower complaints

New Pentagon directives will overhaul the channels that allow troops and defense personnel to file whistleblower complaints, report toxic leadership or point out discrimination.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 11d

We're glad to see members of Congress pushing back against the defunding of CIGIE. This agency is essential to government accountability, and it needs to continue its vital work.

Grassley, Collins Urge OMB to Release Appropriated Inspector General Funds | United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairs of the Senate...

www.judiciary.senate.gov

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 11d

We're glad to see this important first step by SCOTUS. The administration simply cannot be allowed to fire heads of independent agencies without cause.

Supreme Court lets Fed Governor Lisa Cook keep job pending January oral argument

President Donald Trump has sought to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, citing claims that she committed mortgage fraud in connection with two homes.

www.cnbc.com

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 11d

The Trump administration's efforts to undercut Congress’s spending powers contributed to the failed negotiations that led to this government shutdown

This needs to be a wakeup call for our representatives. They have a responsibility to YOU to reassert their power

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Project On Government Oversight @pogo.org · 12d

Read POGO's latest:

"As the Portland deployment makes clear, things are getting more dangerous. It is evident that the Trump administration is willing to answer even small, peaceful protests against federal law enforcement with a military response."

Portland Precedent Risks More Unchecked, Unlawful Deployments

The Pentagon is using the president’s June memo as a blanket authorization to deploy troops to U.S. cities — regardless of the facts or the law.

www.pogo.org

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