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In a fiery segment on his podcast, former Secret Service agent and conservative commentator Dan Bongino sounded the alarm about what he and others claim is one of the largest fraud scandals in U.S. history. According to Bongino and Senior Policy Advisor Stephen Miller, foreign fraud rings may have stolen as much as $1 trillion from taxpayer-funded benefit programs—an allegation that has ignited political debate and concern across the country.
The stunning claim stems from recent revelations tied to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal initiative launched under President Trump and led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. According to Miller, DOGE discovered that international actors have been exploiting vulnerabilities in America’s Social Security and welfare systems by using fraudulent identities and counterfeit Social Security numbers.
“These are foreign nationals who enter the United States, employ fake Social Security numbers, and adopt false identities to pilfer billions in taxpayer benefits,” Miller stated in a recent Fox News interview. He emphasized that full access to IRS and federal benefit data is still pending and necessary for DOGE to determine the total scope of the fraud.
Dan Bongino, who currently serves as Deputy Director of the FBI in the Trump Administration, echoed Miller’s concerns during a recent episode of The Dan Bongino Show. “He [Musk] uncovered a foreign fraud ring within our retirement programs. People—even if you support government waste—at least waste it here, right? If you’re going to squander government funds and flush it down the toilet, at least waste it on U.S. citizens,” Bongino said.
Miller went further, stating that if DOGE’s reforms are fully enacted, American taxpayers could see over $1 trillion in savings over the next ten years. This projection is based on DOGE’s ongoing investigations and preliminary audits of multiple federal benefit programs.
Despite the strong rhetoric and alarming figures, it’s important to note that these claims—while widely circulated by various conservative media outlets—have yet to be independently verified. The estimates are based on DOGE’s internal analysis, and no government audit or nonpartisan study has yet confirmed the full scale of the alleged fraud.
The Department of Government Efficiency is composed of federal employees and appointees, and operates under the constitutional authority of the executive branch. Its mission, as described by Miller, is to root out waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the federal government.
While the assertions made by Bongino and Miller are significant and warrant attention, experts and watchdog groups emphasize the need for comprehensive, transparent investigations before drawing conclusions. Until more data is available and independently reviewed, the true impact of these alleged foreign fraud rings remains to be fully determined.
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Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
