Federal agency DOGE attributes $305 million in improper payments to Democratic-led states and warns of systemic breakdowns under Biden-era policies.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced Thursday that a staggering $382 million in fraudulent unemployment payments have been issued since 2020, with the bulk—$305 million—traced back to California, New York, and Massachusetts, three states under full Democratic control.

According to DOGE, these states accounted for the vast majority of improper claim disbursements over the last four years. The agency also revealed that under the prior administration of former President Joe Biden, California alone was responsible for 68% of unemployment benefits paid to parolees who were either on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist or had existing criminal records.

DOGE stated that all three states—California, New York, and Massachusetts—operate under a Democratic trifecta, holding control over the governor’s office, state legislature, and top executive positions such as the attorney general and secretary of state.

“There’s a reason for the mass exodus from Democrat-run states that have mismanaged their economies and driven residents to the nearest Republican-led state,” said White House spokesperson Harrison Fields in a statement to Fox News. “High taxes, poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars and progressive policies continue to yield negative results, which is why Americans overwhelmingly support the work of DOGE.”

The report follows earlier findings this week that DOGE uncovered tens of thousands of improper claims submitted under suspicious identities—some attributed to individuals aged between one and five years old, others listed as over 115, and some even filed under birthdates that had not yet occurred.

“This is another incredible discovery by the DOGE team, finding nearly $400 million in fraudulent unemployment payments,” said Labor Department Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “The Labor Department is committed to recovering Americans’ stolen tax dollars. We will catch these thieves and keep working to root out egregious fraud.”

DOGE also exposed failures in border policy enforcement during the previous administration, stating that minimal screening allowed more than 6,000 individuals—either flagged on the FBI’s terror watchlist or with criminal histories—to enter the country. Hundreds of those individuals went on to collect various forms of public assistance, including approximately $42,000 in unemployment insurance benefits.

The watchdog added that these individuals were also recipients of federal student loans, food stamp benefits, and Internal Revenue Service tax refunds.

In response, the current Trump administration has eliminated parole for any individual identified as having a criminal record or appearing on a federal terror watchlist, marking a shift from the policies in place under President Biden.

DOGE’s findings raise significant questions about systemic oversight failures and highlight potential vulnerabilities in the federal benefits system exploited under relaxed eligibility and screening practices.

Source: Fox News

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