After uncovering $382 million in fraudulent unemployment payments since 2020, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) identified California, New York, and Massachusetts as the leading sources of the improper payouts.
According to DOGE, the three Democrat-led states were responsible for $305 million of the total misallocated funds. The agency also noted that California alone was responsible for 68% of the unemployment benefits distributed under former President Joe Biden to parolees flagged by federal authorities as being on the terrorist watchlist or having criminal records. “California, New York and Massachusetts all have a Democratic trifecta — meaning Democrats control the state House, Senate and the governor’s office. They also have a Democratic triplex, which includes party control of the Attorney General, Secretary of State and governorship,” Fox News reported.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields told Fox News Digital: “There’s a reason for the mass exodus from Democrat-run states that have mismanaged their economies and driven residents to the nearest Republican-led state. High taxes, poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and progressive policies continue to yield negative results, which is why Americans overwhelmingly support the work of DOGE.”
Earlier this week, DOGE reported that since 2020, hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment benefits have been distributed to tens of thousands of recipients. These recipients include individuals listed as over 115 years old, those between the ages of 1 and 5, and even some with birthdates that have not yet occurred. “This is another incredible discovery by the DOGE team, finding nearly $400 million in fraudulent unemployment payments. The Labor Department is committed to recovering Americans’ stolen tax dollars. We will catch these thieves and keep working to root out egregious fraud,” said Labor Department Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
Additionally, DOGE reported this week that under the Biden administration, it was “routine” to admit immigrants with minimal screening procedures. As a result, more than 6,000 individuals—either with criminal records or flagged on the FBI’s terror watchlist—were allowed to enter the country, Fox added. Furthermore, DOGE found that hundreds of these individuals were able to access public benefits, including roughly $42,000 through the federal unemployment insurance program. In addition, they received funds from federal student loan programs, food assistance programs, and IRS tax refunds.
