Michael Lewis on "Blockers": Profiling government workers confronted by DOGE

In his new book, Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State, author Michael Lewis highlights the value of government workers who are driven by a sense of public spirit rather than personal gain. Lewis, known for his deep dives into various topics, expresses surprise that most Americans are unaware that federal government employees take an oath of office, vowing to support and defend the Constitution.

Lewis aims to challenge the common stereotype of faceless bureaucrats, emphasizing the significant role these workers play in society.

Blockers profiles government workers who were confronted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a concept championed by President Trump and backed by billionaire Elon Musk. DOGE aimed to cut government costs and target what Musk referred to as "blockers" – government employees who stand in the way of Musk's objectives. Lewis describes DOGE as an insult, while a central character in his book, Kathleen Walters, clarifies that she was merely blocking actions that violated the law.

Walters, formerly a top executive at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), was responsible for protecting taxpayers' personal information. When the Trump administration created DOGE, Walters had to navigate new regulations, including requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for information on individuals under investigation.

Walters questioned the legitimacy of these requests and ultimately resigned, arguing that she could not in good conscience comply with what she believed to be unlawful orders. The Treasury Department's Inspector General later found that ICE had not met safeguarding standards, and federal courts ruled that privacy rights were violated.

Despite facing challenges, Walters remains proud of her decision. Her daughter's reaction to her mother's struggle also underscores the personal impact of supporting one's principles. Lewis concludes by noting the ongoing debate over the impact of DOGE, with the Government Accountability Office finding it overstated its savings and falling short of its goals.