San Francisco city officials are currently probing an incident involving three men who claimed to represent the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These individuals visited City Hall on Friday, reportedly demanding access to various records before absconding from the premises.

Incident Details

According to statements from the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, the trio donned apparel featuring “DOGE” logos along with hats inscribed with the slogan “Make America Great Again” associated with former President Trump. The group entered multiple offices around noon, where they insisted that municipal employees release digital records pertaining to supposed instances of wasteful government expenditure and fraud.

City employees reacted promptly, declining the requests and notifying sheriff’s deputies. However, the men departed City Hall prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

Official Response

The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office expressed skepticism regarding the men’s claims: “We do not believe the individuals requesting access to City files were representatives from DOGE,” they stated. In addition, deputies are conducting a review of surveillance footage and utilizing other investigative measures to identify the suspects.

Subsequent confirmations revealed that the individuals were indeed wearing shirts associated with Dogecoin but were not sporting the MAGA hats as initially reported.

Background on DOGE

DOGE, led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, was established via an executive order from former President Trump aimed at reducing federal spending. The initiative’s objectives involve investigating federal contracts and expenditures that conflict with Trump’s established policies, notably in areas including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and foreign aid.

Legal Challenges

The task force has faced scrutiny and legal challenges, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta joining 13 other attorneys general in a lawsuit that questions Musk and DOGE’s authority to access sensitive governmental data. Bonta articulated concerns, stating, “DOGE’s ransacking of federal agencies has sown tremendous chaos, instilled distrust among the American people, and has caused deep harm to our country. Like a bull in a china shop, Mr. Musk is wielding an enormous amount of illegitimized power over sensitive systems and important government programs that are vital to the American way of life.”