The young, inexperienced engineers aiding DOGE

Perceived Legal Jeopardy and Rule of Law

• Many worry the 19–24-year-old engineers are in serious criminal jeopardy for accessing systems they’re not properly authorized for, even if they believe they’re following orders.
• Others are more worried they won’t be held accountable, citing impunity for political allies and heavy reliance on presidential pardons.
• Several comments connect weakening rule of law with rising risk of political violence and constitutional breakdown.

Authority, Legality, and Constitutional Questions

• Strong disagreement over whether these actors are legitimate federal employees or private operatives given access by Trump.
• Some argue emergency clearances and an executive order folding DOGE into USDS make their access legal; others say new structures and powers require congressional creation, funding, and Senate-confirmed leadership.
• Withholding or redirecting congressionally appropriated funds (e.g., USAID, payments systems) is repeatedly described as unconstitutional and potentially a “self‑coup.”

Motives of Musk/DOGE and “Network State” Framing

• One line of discussion sees DOGE as a right‑wing “network state” project: using tech and crypto ideology to dismantle the democratic state in favor of a tech‑aligned oligarchy.
• Others frame it as a hard-right response to a supposedly hostile “deep state,” aiming to purge the bureaucracy and defund NGOs perceived as de facto Democratic infrastructure.
• A minority accepts the stated goal—rooting out waste and corruption—but others call this obvious propaganda masking patronage and self‑dealing.

Impact on Agencies: USAID, Treasury, 18F, etc.

• Shutdowns or disruption at USAID and threats to Treasury’s payment systems are seen as high‑risk attacks on foreign policy, soft power, and global stability.
• Killing or gutting 18F and Direct File is cited as evidence the agenda is anti‑competence and pro‑corporate (e.g., tax prep firms), not “efficiency.”

Security, Data Access, and Clearances

• Deep concern over access to OPM, Treasury, and potentially TS/SCI systems, including claims of a DOGE server plugged into sensitive networks.
• Questions raised about oaths, SF‑86 vetting, dual nationality, and whether this creates massive privacy and counter‑intelligence exposure.

Age, Experience, and Exploitation of Youth

• Some see the youth angle as overblown, citing historical examples of young elites handling major responsibilities.
• Others argue that very limited work experience plus ideological zeal makes them ideal “fall guys” and easy tools—compared explicitly to Cultural Revolution Red Guards or Hitler Youth.

Democratic Accountability, Opposition, and “Coup” Debate

• Large faction openly calls this a coup or self‑coup: seizure of legislative powers (spending, agency existence) by the executive and an unelected billionaire.
• Others argue it’s “just” aggressive use of presidential authority and an overdue attack on an unaccountable bureaucracy.
• Many note Democrats lack formal power (no branch control) and can mostly only hold press events, sue, and try to sway public opinion.

Debt, Austerity, and Target Choice

• Supporters invoke exploding debt and interest costs to justify drastic cuts.
• Critics respond that foreign aid and small programs are a tiny fraction of spending and that real deficit drivers (tax cuts, entitlements, defense) are untouched.
• Several describe the current actions as “chaos for its own sake,” with negligible fiscal impact but high human and geopolitical cost.