Donald Trump’s administration has blatantly violated the U.S. Constitution by using the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to seize control over federal spending. DOGE has unlawfully accessed Treasury systems, influenced government payments without congressional approval, and unilaterally shut down agencies like USAID. These actions are not just questionable—they are outright unconstitutional.
How Federal Spending Works—Legally
The U.S. Constitution gives Congress full control over federal spending. The process is clear and non-negotiable:
1. The President Proposes a Budget – The President can request funding, but Congress is under no obligation to follow it.
2. Congress Sets Spending Limits – The House and Senate pass a budget resolution outlining federal spending.
3. Appropriations Committees Allocate Funds – Congress passes appropriations bills determining how money is spent.
4. The President Signs or Vetoes the Bills – Once passed by Congress, the bills become law only if the President signs them.
5. Federal Agencies Spend the Money as Directed – Agencies execute the budget under congressional oversight.
The law is simple: Congress controls the purse, not the President.
How Trump’s Use of DOGE Violates the Constitution
1. Seizing Control Over Federal Spending
DOGE is overriding Congress’s authority by manipulating Treasury payments. The executive branch does not have the power to redirect funds or halt payments—only Congress does. This is a direct violation of Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution.
2. Illegal Access to Treasury Systems
DOGE has reportedly accessed Social Security numbers, bank accounts, and payment systems without authorization. This is a breach of the Privacy Act and the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unlawful government searches.
3. Unlawful Shutdown of Federal Agencies
Trump shut down USAID and reassigned its functions without congressional approval. Federal agencies cannot be dissolved or restructured without legislation. His actions violate the Impoundment Control Act and overstep executive authority.
4. Violating the Separation of Powers
Congress—not the President—decides where federal money goes. Trump is openly ignoring this constitutional limit, consolidating power in the executive branch in a way that directly threatens American democracy.
This Cannot Stand
Trump’s actions are not just unprecedented—they are illegal. The Constitution does not allow the President to seize control of government spending, access private financial data, or dismantle federal agencies without Congress. His use of DOGE is a brazen assault on the rule of law.
Congress must act immediately to shut down DOGE, hold those responsible accountable, and reaffirm that the executive branch cannot override the Constitution. If this is allowed to stand, the U.S. government will no longer function as a democracy—it will be ruled by executive fiat.
