Trump had some very interesting words for American lawmakers.
During a press conference on Friday with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, President Donald Trump addressed growing concerns over the security of U.S. government data, stating that the U.S. “doesn’t have very good security” in light of reports that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was able to easily access sensitive American information, including Social Security numbers and bank account details. When asked by a reporter why DOGE had such access, Trump responded candidly, saying, “Well, it doesn’t need it, but they get it very easily because we don’t have strong enough security measures in place.”
This statement highlights Trump’s ongoing concerns about government overreach and inefficiency. In line with his efforts to reduce federal spending, Trump has directed Elon Musk and his DOGE team to audit and cut unnecessary costs. Trump emphasized that he plans to trim the federal budget by $2 trillion, noting that nearly every agency will undergo an audit. “Pentagon, education—just about everything will be reviewed,” he said. The president revealed that he personally identifies which agencies should be scrutinized, often telling Musk’s team, “I’ll pick out a target, and I say, ‘Go in.’”
As Trump pushes for fiscal responsibility, Democrat lawmakers have raised alarms about DOGE’s access to critical financial systems. They’ve requested an investigation into whether this access could pose risks to national security, Americans’ privacy, and the integrity of the tax system, as DOGE’s review of government payments could have serious implications for trillions of dollars in financial transactions.
Trump also addressed the massive layoffs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), calling the situation “unfortunate” but necessary due to the rampant waste within the agency. “97% of the people have been dismissed,” Trump said, pointing to the need for a thorough clean-up of government spending. He warned that similar inefficiencies would be uncovered in other departments, including Education and the Pentagon, as his administration works to cut wasteful spending.