Archangel Readiness Consulting

DOGE Investigation

Disclaimer #1: WTF? Did USAID drop $310 million on a cement factory in Gaza in 2016—money that may have ended up helping Hamas build terror tunnels? Tunnels that enabled countless attacks, most infamously the October 7 massacre, which killed over 1,200 civilians and led to the kidnapping of hundreds, including 12 Americans?

I'm not 100% sure yet, but it definitely makes you go hmmm—and it's worth digging into. As someone who spent my 20s either preparing or being in a s***hole, my 30s either learning about terrorism or investigating it, the mere possibility that this happened turns my stomach.

And just to be clear—despite all that time, I personally didn't do much, especially in Afghanistan. It was my boys in Archangel, who when they weren't too busy earning Purple Hearts or sleeping in a reinforced sheep barn, secured a piece of strategic dirt in that province. Al Jazeera even ran a piece on it. And later, when smarter men than I, decided to take Al Jazeera's advice to "get after it" more, that terrain was ceded, a lot of good men's lives were changed forever. See the sources for the original piece.

Enough rambling. Back to DOGE, which just might just be one of the greatest opportunities for government accountability in a generation. The rest of this article has a completely different tone—it was originally just notes on DOGE, but this cement factory revelation forced the issue. I apologize for the organization; it has changed numerous times due to daily headlines. However, I hope this is the beginning of many discussions on how DOGE can be improved to tackle criticisms, and ultimately increase citizen engagement.

Disclaimer #2: No nerds were hurt during the writing of this blog, and no offense is meant. "Nerd" in this case is meant as a term of endearment and respect for those with talents that I frankly don't understand—and is likely over the heads of most of their critics as well.

Who Are These Nerds?

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sparked intrigue among the American public, political enthusiasts, and tech communities alike. As Elon Musk's brainchild, DOGE has assembled a team of young engineers who have been hailed as visionaries, condemned as security risks, and everything in between. But how did they land these roles, who are they, and what exactly are they doing? More importantly, can their expertise be harnessed to revolutionize how citizens engage with their government at every level? The fate of the Republic may just rest in the hands of a few prodigies who skipped prom to play Dungeons & Dragons. Probably not, but let's toss the dice and see where this goes.

How Were These Nerds Hired?

If you don't like it, blame then-President Obama. Well, not really—but he did start a trend.

The push for high-tech recruitment began in 2015 when President Barack Obama launched the TechHire Initiative, a program aimed at rapidly training Americans for high-paying technology jobs. While its primary focus was on expanding private-sector employment, it also aligned with a broader federal push to integrate more tech talent into the workforce.

Under President Joe Biden, efforts to bring tech professionals into government continued, this time with an emphasis on hiring artificial intelligence (AI) experts. In October 2023, Biden signed an executive order streamlining the hiring of AI professionals across federal agencies. Well, that didn't age well for the current detractors.

Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump launched the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) through executive order, placing Elon Musk in charge of its operations. To be clear, DOGE is a temporary agency, set to expire on July 4, 2026, with the goal of increasing government efficiency by eliminating wasteful spending, reducing bureaucracy, and leveraging private-sector innovation.

The Nerds Behind DOGE

A recent less than flattering article in WIRED magazine attempted to discredit some of the Nerds, but I left that article feeling rather impressed and somewhat depressed at my own lack of achievement. Below is a short summary minus the snark displayed in the WIRED article:

Akash Bobba: A 22-year-old engineer with experience at Meta, Palantir, and Bridgewater Associates; he studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and is currently designated as an expert at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Edward Coristine: He had a previous association with Neuralink, was enrolled at Northeastern University, and is currently listed as an expert at OPM.

Luke Farritor: A former SpaceX intern and University of Nebraska–Lincoln student, who recently gained recognition for being part of a team deciphered an ancient Greek scroll.

Gautier Cole Killian: He attended McGill University and reportedly worked as an engineer at Jump Trading, a high-frequency trading firm. Currently, he is listed as a volunteer at DOGE.

Gavin Kliger: He attended UC Berkeley until 2020 and worked at Databricks. Appears to be a vocal critic of the "Deep State." Currently a special adviser to the director for information technology at OPM.

Ethan Shaotran: A senior at Harvard University studying computer science; he placed second in a hackathon hosted by Musk's AI company, xAI.

Troubling Findings

If you've been within earshot of the news in the past couple of weeks, you've likely caught at least snippets of DOGE's revelations uncovering suspected waste, fraud, and abuse—with some of the most alarming findings linked to the Department of Education, Health and Human Services, USAID, and funds allegedly redirected to terrorist groups.

Department of Education

$370 million in cuts regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, a move that has sparked strong opposition from Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). She recently stated, "An unelected billionaire is now bulldozing the research arm of the Department of Education—taking a wrecking ball to high-quality research and basic data we need to improve our public schools."

NOTE: The U.S. Department of Education was established on October 17, 1979, under President Jimmy Carter when he signed the Department of Education Organization Act. And please, skip the accusations of not caring about my kids' education. We went full Kurt Russell, staged our own Escape from New York, and drove 1,250 miles just so my kids could have 13 kids in their public school class.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

$180 million in government contract cuts, including $168,000 allocated for a museum exhibit about Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The proposed cuts have sparked bipartisan concern, with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) calling potential reductions to HHS agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "devastating."

NOTE: According to the HHS, in 2024, $9 billion of its $35 billion research budget was spent on administrative overhead.

United States State Department or USAID

While U.S. State Department and USAID funds are intended to support U.S. interests, such as infrastructure projects in developing countries, the following examples highlight their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) priorities. Before I tell you that I also have a black friend, let me be clear—I'm not offended by racial or LGBTQ programs themselves. What gets me is the taxpayer funding behind them, especially when these programs often end up making the U.S. less popular instead of achieving their intended goals.

$1.5 million to advance DEI initiatives in Serbia
$70,000 for a DEI-themed musical in Ireland
$2.5 million invested in promoting electric vehicles in Vietnam
$47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia
$32,000 to create a transgender-focused comic book in Peru
$2 million for gender-affirming surgeries and LGBTQ+ activism in Guatemala

Potential Security Threats

While the above spending has raised eyebrows, the allocations that directly impact U.S. security are truly alarming. The idea that the United States could influence global terrorism—not through military action or law enforcement, but simply by cutting off the flow of U.S. funding—is both disturbing and deeply concerning.

$697 million in annual funding to Afghanistan
Families of Taliban fighters receive stipends
$65 million is suspected to have been redirected from the "Women's Scholarship Endowment" and "Young Women Lead" programs to training camps and madrasas with links to ISIS-Khorasan and Boko Haram

Recently, during Congressional hearings, Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) highlighted how USAID funds were allegedly diverted to support groups like the Al-Nusrah Front, the Taliban, and other extremist organizations. He suggested that these funds, meant for humanitarian or developmental projects, were instead aiding terrorist activities.

Although not directly linked to DOGE revelations, as mentioned earlier, it turns out the United States spent $310 million benefiting Sanad Construction Resources, a publicly traded company in the West Bank, to encourage cement and other construction projects. Did a single pound of that concrete end up in Hamas-built terror tunnels? Maybe not. But basic economics suggests that an increased cement supply lowers prices, thereby indirectly making tunnel construction more affordable. If the estimated 300 miles of tunnels in Gaza do exist, it's possible that maybe higher cement prices could have resulted in only 250 miles of terror tunnels being constructed.

NOTE: Since the October 7, 2023, attack, the United States has spent $2.1 billion in Gaza, yet as of February 15, 2025, five American hostages remain in captivity.

This blog is supposed to be about DOGE and its findings, but if you'll indulge me, let's go down a few rabbit holes that might explain some of these expenditures.

Yes, a lot of this spending is just bureaucratic purse-string capture for ideological reasons, but that's too simplistic—and frankly, naïve to explain it all. Imagine a room full of two opposing stereotypes who, despite their differences, reach the same spending conclusion: a blue-haired ideologue and a scotch-drinking American patriot. Now, let's say Country X is refusing to sign a trade agreement, threatening to nationalize an industry, or blocking the construction of a U.S. military base. Coincidentally, that country happens to have a restless youth movement of students and LGBTQ activists.

You can see how both sides might approve funding to support an opposition movement. The ideologue believes in progressive global activism, while the patriot sees an opportunity for geopolitical leverage. This isn't about the dirty nature of how international sausage is made or about good men doing bad things in the night for freedom. This is social engineering, and its second- and third-order effects are impossible to calculate. Sure, you might secure your trade deal or get that military base, but what's the point if the country becomes so destabilized that in ten years, you'll need to fund an entirely new opposition party. If you get the chance, check out any of the recent podcast appearances by Mike Benz, Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online.

Critics are Right but for the Wrong Reasons

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) recently remarked, "Elon Musk is seizing power from the American people. He's here to seize power for himself; we are here to fight back." It's impressive how she manages to stay informed on such matters, especially considering her diverse interests, including ethnic cook books. If you haven't explored her contributions to Pow Wow Chow: A Collection of Recipes from Families of the Five Civilized Tribes: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole, you simply haven't lived. I particularly found her "Cold Omelets with Crab Meat" to be divine. You too can sample this delight and others like it by utilizing the below Amazon link.

To be honest, many of her criticisms and those previously mentioned about DOGE are actually valid. But before you drop your lactose-free Venti Java Chip Frappuccino to celebrate, allow me to elaborate. They are right but for the wrong reasons. A billionaire and his associates shouldn't have exclusive access to government spending data. We all should. The real issue isn't just who has access to the system—it's that the system is opaque to the average American citizen. Instead of limiting access to a small circle, this kind of data should be accessible to every citizen. That's why we need a DOGE Database to bring government expenditures into the light.

Proposal: DOGE Database for Government Transparency

Instead of dismissing these young engineers as unqualified or security threats (since they're so young it shouldn't take too long to complete their backgrounds), we should consider how their skills could contribute to something truly revolutionary. Why can't we create a comprehensive database that tracks government spending at all levels, in order to make it accessible to the public.

To enhance efficiency, address concerns of elitism, and create something with generational impact, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could be restructured into three specialized branches:

Government Expenditure Oversight – The existing arm of DOGE, which scrutinizes federal spending and aims to eliminate waste.
The DOGE Database Initiative – A novel system that allows the public to monitor government spending in real-time.
State and Local Government Integration – A voluntary initiative allowing cities, counties, and states to either develop their own DOGE-like databases or contribute their data to a centralized system—whichever proves more efficient. That's for the Nerds to figure out.

How Would the DOGE Database Work?

Citizen Access & Security

Citizens could securely log in using a blockchain-based verification system linked to their Social Security number, or through a multi-factor authentication method that ensures privacy and security. Once again, that's for the Nerds to figure out.
A dedicated call center and email support would be in place to report any breaches of privacy.

Categorization of Spending

AI could be used to categorize and label the extensive list of expenditures.
Sensitive payments (military, intelligence, law enforcement, and Department of Energy, etc) would be initially lumped into broad categories.
Payments to individuals would be broadly classified as "Payments to Individuals" to prevent exposure of personal financial details.
Any transaction requiring further classification would be placed into an "Expenditures Awaiting Review" category for later refinement.

Transparency & Public Engagement

Citizens could cross-reference how government spending was appropriated and whether their current representative voted for or against that measure.
An inquiry system would enable citizens to easily contact their current representatives, regardless of when the measure was passed. With a single click, they could instantly send an email or place a call to their representative, ensuring direct and efficient communication.

A Bipartisan Path to Accountability

This new DOGE database, even if implemented solely at the federal level, would be revolutionary—enhancing public awareness and engagement with their representatives. A system like a DOGE database with access to all, should be a bipartisan effort. Not a fan of the military-industrial complex? You might appreciate a transparent breakdown of military spending as a percentage of total government expenditures, along with the bills that authorized it.

Note: Sadly, you're going to be disappointed. In 2024, it was only 13%.

Conversely, if you're pro-life, and suspect an expenditure that violates the Helms Amendment, shoot your representative an email.

NOTE: The Helms Amendment was enacted in 1973 as part of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and has prohibited U.S. foreign aid from funding abortions.

Even hippies could pick up the phone and call their Senator after realizing he or she voted to cut funding for major corporations to buy solar panels made in Chinese sweatshops. Sorry, that was mean and another rabbit hole. The point is, the number of constituencies that could benefit from this level of access is limitless. Let's truly step in the 21st century with a more informed and empowered citizenry.

Sources

General DOGE Information

iSideWith - Public opinion polling on government efficiency
Trump's DOGE Executive Order - Official White House documentation
DOGE Department Overview - Official government resources
Congressional Research Service on DOGE - Legislative analysis

Hiring and Background

obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/TechHire - TechHire Initiative documentation
Biden AI Hiring & Diversity - Executive orders and policies
Biden AI Executive Order - October 2023 AI hiring streamlining
Wired - Article on DOGE team members
bit.ly/Akash-Bobba - Profile information
bit.ly/RollingStone-Geeks - Team coverage

DOGE Findings and Cuts

New York Post - DOGE Cuts DEI Grants reporting
AP News - DOGE Cuts to Education Department
GovInfo - Department of Education Organization Act (PDF)
HHS Historical Highlights - Department of Health and Human Services
White House Fact Sheet on USAID - Official documentation
DOGE & Education Department Access Concerns - Congressional oversight

USAID and Security Threats

USAID Office of Inspector General - Official reports
Sanad Construction Resources Fact Sheet (PDF) - Gaza cement project documentation
Congressional Hearing #1 - Rep. Scott Perry testimony
Congressional Hearing #2 - Additional oversight hearings
City Journal - Analysis and investigative reporting
Politico Article - Political coverage
Munsif Daily Report - DOGE Investigation coverage

Gaza and Hamas

Times of Israel - "Cement for Rebuilding Gaza Diverted to Attack Tunnels"
JNS - "Hamas Used UNRWA and USAID Sacks for Tunnels"
Washington Post - Gaza Tunnels and Hamas infrastructure
New York Post - "Hundreds of Miles of Tunnels in Gaza"
AJC - "Meet the Five American Hostages Still Held by Hamas"

Elizabeth Warren

Quote source - "Elon Musk is seizing power from the American people"
Pow Wow Chow: A Collection of Recipes - Cookbook reference
Elizabeth Warren's Pow Wow Chow 'Cherokee' recipes - Investigation into recipe sources

Budget and Spending

Policy Basics: Where Do Our Federal Tax Dollars Go? - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Afghanistan

Al Jazeera - "Life at Checkpoint 2.5"
Defense.gov - Military operations documentation