(The Center Square) – A Virginia lawmaker is warning that volunteers with the Department of Government Efficiency could face legal risks and potential criminal penalties under federal ethics laws.
Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., a ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, raised concerns that unpaid volunteers embedded in federal agencies may be subject to conflict-of-interest laws and financial disclosure requirements but lack the formal training and protections given to federal employees.
Connolly sent letters to the heads of 24 federal agencies, urging them to clarify their plans for implementing a Feb. 26, 2025, Office of Personnel Management memo that directed agencies to start preparing for reductions in force (RIF) and reorganization plans under the Trump administration’s Workforce Optimization Initiative…