Michael Lewis book details friction between DOGE and federal workers

Journalist Michael Lewis has released a new book, ‘Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State’, which examines the impact of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the United States federal workforce.

The book provides accounts of federal employees who resisted efforts by the DOGE team to access sensitive data or disrupt agency operations. Lewis describes the DOGE team as being composed of inexperienced individuals who often lacked an understanding of the various branches of government.

Specific incidents detailed include an official at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who sought to protect taxpayer confidentiality from DOGE representatives, and the head of security at the United States Institute of Peace, an independent institution that Lewis notes was outside the legal authority of DOGE. The narrative contrasts the experiences of these civil servants with the disruptive campaign to cut government spending led by Elon Musk.