Overview
Kyle Schutt worked in DOGE-linked technology roles across several federal agencies during 2025. Federal News Network reported from an internal DHS email that Schutt was appointed acting DHS chief information officer, effective August 31, 2026, and director of the Office of Biometric Identity Management. Separately, sworn testimony described a subcontracting chain involving a business Schutt owned during his earlier DHS-related work.
DOGE and DHS executive appointment
Federal News Network reported August 27, 2026 that Schutt, who had been detailed to agencies including CISA and FEMA, would become acting CIO at DHS effective August 31. The same internal email named him director of the DHS Office of Biometric Identity Management. Specialist coverage reported that this office oversees biometric identity programs including IDENT and HART. Current appointment and access details should be verified independently before making claims about specific database activity. [1]
Private subcontract chain
WIRED's August 12, 2026 investigation cited sworn testimony from Kara Voorhies, formerly a FEMA special government employee, that her LLC subcontracted to Schutt-owned AnchorCode Technologies in October 2025. AnchorCode was itself a subcontractor to IMGE on DHS work. Voorhies testified that she received $325 per hour and that she did not tell agency colleagues her employment status had changed. WIRED described the potential ethics and procurement conflicts; these are reported concerns, not adjudicated violations. [2]
Authorization questions
The private-company subcontract arrangements did not themselves grant government officials legal powers. The records needed to establish Schutt's personal role in contract approvals, access to procurement information or approval of particular FEMA expenditures include subcontract documents, conflict screenings, ethics waivers and formal DHS delegations. [3]
Source records and limits
- Federal News Network, Aug. 27, 2026 — acting DHS CIO and OBIM appointment
- WIRED, Aug. 12, 2026 — sworn testimony on Schutt–AnchorCode–Voorhies subcontract chain
- Biometric Update, Aug. 31, 2026 — DHS biometric programs and role
Evidence standard: Employment, contract and reporting links are documented separately. A role or business connection alone is not proof of improper direction or a legal violation.