Democrats fume at DOGE's "surprise attacks" on their districts

• "Part of what we're seeing with DOGE — it's surprise attacks," said House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) at a press conference on Thursday.
• "I learned about a week ago that every single member of the Boston [Housing and Urban Development] office had been fired — as it was happening," she added.

State of play: DOGE has been on the warpath against the federal government workforce, slashing agency workforces and entire programs.

• Republicans, terrified about backlash from constituents, have privately urged DOGE to be more gentle in its approach to firings and even to reverse some of its cuts.
• But, in the words of Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.): "I have not heard of any Democrats getting that kind of treatment. I think Tom Cole, obviously, has better connections with the oligarchs than we do."

What they're saying: "In my district, there is a lot of retribution even against some of the law firms," Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) said at the Thursday press conference.

• Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), who represents an entire state, told Axios the DOGE cuts have hit non-profits, schools, infrastructure projects, housing programs and legal aid groups.
• "The administration has refused to be transparent, and as information has been requested through tradition means, they have refused to engage," she said, adding that a Democratic House majority would call administration officials to testify about the cuts.

• Said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) in an interview: "It just happens. We find out, sometimes, through X [formerly Twitter]. We just don't know."

Between the lines: Some House Democrats said people in their districts fear that raising public objections to spending freezes or work stoppages will only ensure their funding gets cut.

• Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Calif.) said health administrators at hospitals in California are "afraid to speak out" for fear the administration "will target their hospital or target a particular clinical trial."
• "The fear is pronounced. It is widespread," said McBride, adding that she has "lost count" of "the number of places I have heard from ... who are scared to speak out."