We are writing to raise concerns about recent reports indicating that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been granted extensive access to certain sensitive databases managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).1 If recent reporting is accurate, we are deeply concerned that this would threaten the longstanding trust that farmers and ranchers place in USDA to safeguard their personal and financial information—trust that is essential to the effective operation of federal agricultural programs.
Producers are required to share detailed financial and operational data with USDA when applying for federal loans, disaster assistance, and other vital support. Each year, the National Payment System housed within the Farm Service Agency (FSA) processes tens of billions of dollars in payments and loans. Access to such critical information has historically been restricted to trained FSA staff and senior USDA officials. However, recent reports indicate DOGE has been granted expansive access to this system. There has been no credible justification for granting DOGE this level of access. This poses a real threat to our producers, farmers and ranchers’ data privacy, cybersecurity, and potential misuse of sensitive information.
Across several agencies, DOGE has reportedly accessed and possibly transferred personally identifiable information related to labor unions, legal cases, and corporate affairs. Given the comparable sensitivity of data handled by FSA, DOGE’s access should prompt immediate caution. In the wrong hands, producer data could be used in ways that undermine the resilience of our food systems or even accelerate the consolidation of farmland and processing facilities. These are trends that already threaten rural communities and national food security.
Equally troubling are reports that DOGE may have authority to delay, block, or approve USDA loans and payments. With more than 90 percent of producers receiving some form of USDA assistance, it is critical that the review and decision-making for grants and loan payments remain in the hands of experiences and accountable USDA officials.2
1 https://www.npr.org/2025/07/11/nx-s1-5463468/doge-has-access-to-databas…
1 https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107174#:~:text=From%20FYs%202019%20…
%20average.
Add new comment