Doge vs. DEI: The Unusual Protectors

The interim U. S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, recently reached out to Elon Musk to offer protection for Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) workers. He did this to stop any threats or law-breaking issues that might happen. Martin spoke to Musk on X (formerly Twitter) and attached a letter. This letter emphasized how important it is to keep the DOGE workers and their work safe. He offered to help Musk as much as needed. "DOGE" workers are political appointees who have been working closely with Musk. They've made federal agencies very busy. Now, Martin wants to make sure that all DOGE workers are protected. There's a twist, though. Martin has been silent on another issue. A conservative research group made a website called "DEI Watch List". This site lists federal health workers involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The list includes names, photos, and even political donations. It also has screenshots of social media posts. The creation of this site has many federal health workers worried about their safety. One worker even said, "I don't know what the intention of the list is for. It's just a scary place to be. " This site seems to target mostly Black employees at the HHS (Department of Health and Human Services). The HHS includes many important agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH. The list has created a lot of tension. A former federal prosecutor said the site is trying to intimidate, silence, and endanger these workers. They called it "morally indefensible". "The creation of this so-called ‘DEI watch list’ — a public database targeting Black individuals and others involved in DEI efforts — is nothing short of reprehensible, " one former federal prosecutor who worked Jan. 6 cases wrote to NBC News. "This is a blatant attempt to intimidate, silence, and endanger our federal health care workers. The creation of this list is not only morally indefensible but poses serious threats to the safety of these health care workers. " The site is a project by the American Accountability Foundation, which is based in Washington, D. C. The group didn't respond to requests for comment. It's unclear if the group could be subject to Virginia’s and Maryland’s racial intimidation laws, where many federal health workers live and work. According to Maryland’s attorney general’s office, discrimination in the workplace, as well as cyberbullying and intimidation online, is prohibited by state law. Martin's actions have caused some confusion. Some federal employees are worried about what his next moves will be. They wonder if he will look into the DEI targeting list. Some believe he is too focused on other issues. Martin's past involvement in the "stop the steal" movement makes things even more complicated. He gave a speech at the Capitol on Jan. 5, 2021, and later worked as an advocate for Jan. 6 defendants. He was also involved in spreading conspiracy theories about the Capitol attack. Martin’s involvement in these controversial activities has made many within federal law enforcement exasperated. They are worried about the future of the Justice Department under his leadership.