--- title: "GAO Report Highlights Challenges in Investigating Trump Administration's Handling of Sensitive Information and Systems" url: https://newscentral.site/gao-report-highlights-challenges-in-investigating-trump/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Technology" published: 2026-10-15T10:30:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-15T14:33:52.105Z id: a5931cf9-a8b0-4228-9f9e-4c78f7bc33b7 source: "Wired https://www.wired.com/story/democrats-are-gearing-up-to-investigate-the-trump-administration-it-wont-be-so-easy/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/gao-report-highlights-challenges-in-investigating-trump/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # GAO Report Highlights Challenges in Investigating Trump Administration's Handling of Sensitive Information and Systems A new report from the Government Accountability Office highlights challenges facing Congress in investigating the Trump administration's handling of sensitive information and systems. A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has highlighted the challenges facing Congress as it seeks to investigate the Trump administration's handling of sensitive information and systems. The GAO's findings suggest that multiple executive branch agencies have refused to fully cooperate with investigators about the extent and nature of access granted to the DOGE, a highly classified system. This lack of cooperation raises questions about what avenues Congress has to enforce accountability or even gain basic information about government activities, particularly in an environment where there is no apparent sense of shame or responsibility. According to law professor Emily Berman, "it's hard to think of what Congress can do that doesn't involve some coercion of some kind" due to the limited powers and tools available for oversight. The GAO plays a crucial role as Congress's primary investigative body, but its independence is tempered by its inability to enforce laws or take on prosecution. Increased challenges have been reported by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in obtaining information from agencies over the past year and a half. This has made it difficult for the GAO to conduct its investigations effectively. The office's spokesperson, Sarah Kaczmarek, has acknowledged this issue, highlighting the difficulties faced in accessing information. The problem of agency cooperation is evident in the case of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which refused to name six DOGE operatives detailed to the agency. Despite WIRED having previously identified three of these individuals - Nikhil Rajpal, Chris Young, and Gavin Kliger - in February 2025, the CFPB chose not to disclose this information. The presence of DOGE members Jeremy Lewin and Jordan Wick at the CFPB further underscores the extent of the agency's involvement. It is worth noting that previous reports have raised concerns about the activities of DOGE affiliates within government agencies, including their access to sensitive systems and data. The GAO has also encountered resistance from other agencies, with several slow-walking their responses to requests for information. This lack of cooperation has hindered the office's ability to conduct thorough investigations, making it even more challenging to uncover the truth about government activities. A senior aide at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has described the level of resistance encountered during an inquiry into government activities as "surprising". The agency's request for information was met with varying degrees of cooperation from different departments. While some agencies may be hesitant to provide information, they often try to find ways to accommodate the GAO's requests. This might involve providing alternative data or offering to walk investigators through complex processes. However, in this case, the level of obstruction went beyond what is typically seen. The lack of cooperation is not limited to the agencies named in the report. Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, has also experienced difficulties in his efforts to investigate government activities. His office was notified by the GAO that the Commerce Department was refusing to cooperate with a request for information. Senator Wyden believes that there is no valid reason for denying GAO investigators access to the information they need to identify corruption and waste in federal programs. The Commerce Department has not responded to requests for comment on this matter. The Democrats are preparing to use their subpoena power to investigate the Trump administration, a move that is likely to be met with resistance from the executive branch. This approach may not yield significant results, however, as Congress has limited ability to enforce compliance with subpoenas without the cooperation of executive branch agencies. In recent years, the threat of being held in contempt by Congress has lost its bite, with several high-profile instances where officials have been held in contempt but faced little consequence. Since 2012, three attorneys general have been held in contempt of Congress, yet it appears that this action has not led to any meaningful repercussions for those involved. The lack of cooperation from executive branch agencies has significantly limited Congress's ability to enforce its subpoenas and hold individuals accountable. The House of Representatives has several tools at its disposal to enforce accountability and gather information from the Trump administration, but their effectiveness is uncertain due to the lack of cooperation from executive branch agencies. One option is to impose fines on those held in contempt or even arrest them and hold them in a Capitol Hill jail cell. Alternatively, the House could file a lawsuit that might eventually reach the Supreme Court. However, this could lead to lengthy legal battles that extend beyond the two-year term of the current House. According to constitutional expert Berman, using the courts to enforce accountability poses a significant challenge. She notes that any legal case could drag on for years, creating difficulties in holding individuals accountable within the timeframe of the current Congress. This issue is part of a broader trend of power shifting from Congress to the executive branch over time. As the law has evolved, it has granted the executive branch increasing discretion and authority over its own affairs. This shift has limited Congress's ability to exercise oversight and enforce accountability through traditional means. Jamie Raskin, ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, suggests that Congress could use its power of the purse to pressure the executive branch into cooperating with investigations. However, this would require a significant change in how Congress legislates, as current practices often involve passing large omnibus bills that lack specificity and precision. The current legislative process in Congress often involves passing large omnibus bills that bundle critical funding for regular government operations alongside allocations for administration priorities, making it difficult to scrutinize and adjust specific programs or initiatives. This bundling of funds can have far-reaching consequences, as seen during the partial government shutdown triggered by Senate Democrats' refusal to pass an appropriations bill that included funding for the Department of Homeland Security following the killing of Alex Pretti by two Customs and Border Protection agents. The resulting months-long shutdown had significant impacts on Transportation Security Administration workers, who went without pay and contributed to massive delays at airports nationwide. The proposed investigative approach could potentially create pressure on the administration through the refusal to confirm appointments unless the executive branch cooperates with investigations, providing an additional tool for Democrats to hold the administration accountable. --- Source: [Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/democrats-are-gearing-up-to-investigate-the-trump-administration-it-wont-be-so-easy/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/gao-report-highlights-challenges-in-investigating-trump/