Digital Coup: The Attack on Democracy You Didn’t See

“Digital Coup: The Attack on Democracy You Didn’t See” offers a detailed account of DOGE’s takeover of USAID and other federal agency’s internal data systems in early 2025. These unprecedented breaches of information security protocols compromised both American democracy and citizen privacy, highlighting vulnerabilities in the management of public data and digital infrastructure. When combined with similar intrusions across other agencies, these events pose a serious threat to the integrity of democratic institutions and the resilience of governance in the digital age.

While much attention has focused on the erosion of U.S. foreign assistance and soft power as a result of USAID’s dismantlement, this presentation emphasizes the attack that you didn’t see: the deeper, ongoing risk from exposure of citizens and institutions to digital manipulation, surveillance, and misinformation. Digital Coup seeks to illuminate these systemic threats and underscore the urgent need for robust safeguards to protect democracy and public trust in an interconnected, data-driven world.

Light catering will be provided.

This event is open to Harvard ID holders only and registration is required. The event will be recorded.

About the Speakers

Bryce Carpenter and Chris Doten, both former USAID employees, bring this presentation on behalf of the Democracy Renewal Group, a non-partisan organization that was formed by members of  USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governments to conceptualize pivoting their collected talents and skills in democracy development to home nation application.  Since its inception, it has expanded to include USAID alums from across the agency as well as people who served in the broader foreign assistance community across the U.S..  Their goal remains unchanged: they are organizing and mobilizing at local and national levels behind a non-partisan, pro-democracy message.

• Bryce Carpenter, Ph.D. served as the Chief of Staff to Jason Gray, USAID’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), who became Acting USAID Administrator on January 20, 2025. Bryce facilitated secure enterprise operation and modernization across 108 countries and led the development of USAID’s first AI policy and governance framework.
• Chris Doten served as a leader of USAID’s Advancing Digital Democracy initiative, which focused on building a digital toolbox to support democracy and human rights in the face of escalating digital authoritarianism. Chris was a co-author of USAID’s Digital Policy and wrote the Digital Democracy Principles in the agency’s Democracy, Rights, and Governance Policy.

Moderated by Ambassador Samantha Power, HKS Anna Lindh Professor of the Practice of Global Leadership and Public Policy and HLS William D. Zabel ’61 Professor of Practice in Human Rights, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and the former Administrator of USAID

Event Details

This event is open to Harvard ID holders only and registration is required. The event will be recorded.

The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to inquire about an accommodation, please contact our events team at info@ash.harvard.edu.

Additional questions? Email the Ash Center events team at info@ash.harvard.edu.