To the Journal editor:

DOGE is not a department; it is an extension of the executive branch attempting to circumvent the limits on presidential authority.

The creation of a U.S. government department or agency requires at least four things:

1) legislative oversight

2) a narrow set of authority, mission and accountability

3) transparency and

4) review and confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Because a billionaire created a clever acronym (department of government efficiency) does not mean we should trust his competency or his motives.

The enablers of DOGE, Trump and his party are using this as a tool to dismantle any functions of government they don’t like or are in the way of Trump’s political agenda.

DOGE’s intent is to cut or disable social programs, healthcare, environmental protections, civil rights and accountability.

They are even willing to attack and dismantle the IRS, the Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The intent of all of these actions is to consolidate control of all parts of government in the hands of a few; an oligarchy headed by Trump and Musk.

We should all be alarmed by this sudden, reckless, and patently illegal grab for power. I urge you to contact your congressional representatives and demand that they restore the rule of law before it is too late.

Remember, the power to create or dissolve a department of the federal government rests with Congress, not the president.

Thank you.