Media

 

I provide expert commentary on government, digital services, public policy, and technology's role in democracy. Regular media appearances include CNN, Channel 4 News, podcasts, documentaries, and national publications.

 
Merici Vinton on CNN's The Lead

National Media Appearances

After leaving the US Digital Service in 2025, I became a frequent guest on national and international media discussing DOGE's impact on the US government.

Below are selected clips—happy to provide a complete list upon request.

Television

CNN with Erin Burnett
Merici Vinton: DOGE is a wrecking ball, not a scalpel

CNN’s The Lead
People are still going to get fired after Musk leaves

UK’s Ch 4 National News
Doge’s approach to efficiency ‘inefficient’ says former staffer

Podcasts

MeidasTouch
Discussing DOGE, Musk, and how government data is at risk

Majority Report
Discussing DOGE, Direct File’s demise, and the CFPB

Economist
DOGE’s destruction at the IRS

Documentaries

CBS
Is America in a New Gilded Age? Wealth, Power, and Democracy

NHK Japan
(video to come)

I regularly provide on-the-record commentary and analysis for print and digital publications on:

  • Government digital transformation and modernization

  • IRS and tax policy

  • Free tax filing and Direct File

  • DOGE and “government efficiency”

  • Actual government efficiency

  • Federal IT strategy and implementation

  • Civic technology and public service delivery

  • Product leadership in government

  • Federal workforce and capacity building

 

Print & Digital

Recent Topics:

  • The dismantling of Direct File and its implications for taxpayers

  • DOGE's impact on government technology and data security

  • Building beloved government products and the role of state capacity

  • The future of free tax filing in America

  • Government capacity and institutional knowledge loss

Featured:

The New York Times
Featured in interactive coverage of federal workers and Trump administration layoffs

Bloomberg Tax
Direct File expansion coverage and analysis of IRS modernization efforts

Politico
Government technology policy and digital transformation analysis

Businessweek
Cover story on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launch

FedScoop
In-depth profile: "Direct File died under Trump. Meet the creators planning for its second life" — documenting the creation, success, and cancellation of Direct File, plus ongoing work as a Future of Tax Filing fellow

Federal News Network, MeriTalk, Nextgov, Government Technology
Ongoing coverage of Direct File, government digital services, and civic technology innovation. Regular expert commentary on government IT and modernization.