Shortly after the Trump administration was sworn in earlier this year, a shadowy force called the Department of Government Efficiency was created to sweep up information and facilitate personnel cuts, the freezing of federal funds and the shutdown of federal agencies.

Its actions have been challenged in court, but NY1 has learned that this group called DOGE, which is not officially a government agency, is now expanding its sight beyond federal agencies.

The department, led by billionaire and President Donald Trump adviser Elon Musk, is now looking to assign members of its team to work at every institute or agency that receives federal dollars.

That includes nonprofits like the Vera Institute of Justice, an independent organization which advocates for lower incarceration rates and is based in the city.

Earlier this month, DOGE contacted the nonprofit to assign staffers but quickly withdrew the request after realizing the Department of Justice recently revoked $5 million in grants awarded to the group.

In response, advocates are pushing back, calling it an attack on civil society.

Nick Turner, the president of the Vera Institute of Justice, joined NY1 political anchor Errol Louis on “Inside City Hall” Tuesday to discuss more.

Tap the video player above to watch the interview.