By Liz Hanna
LONG BEACH— A spirited protest organized along Long Beach’s waterfront rallied attention this past weekend to DOGE, the controversial Department of Government Efficiency. Demonstrators, many clad in yellow shirts and waving banners, demanded transparency and accountability in the newly empowered agency’s federal role—particularly its influence over veterans’ data and contracts.
Chanting slogans such as “No DOGE access!” protesters accused the department of operating with unchecked authority, invoking concerns that personal information could be misused under its mandate. Many participants described the scene as energized yet peaceful, citing a collective call for civilian oversight of any federal efficiency reforms tied to veteran services.
Although smaller in scale—around a few dozen to a hundred individuals—the gathering resonated with local residents familiar with headlines about agency restructuring. Some attendees carried signs urging “Protect VA privacy,” while others demanded that the City of Long Beach urge federal lawmakers to limit DOGE’s reach.
Organizers said the protest reflects broader unease with bureaucratic expansion without legislative safeguards. As the Department of Government Efficiency broadens its footprint nationally, residents here said Long Beach should serve as an early test of citizen pushback.
