Controversy surrounds Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo amid allegations of favoritism toward Steve Davis, the President of The Boring Company and former leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The purported preferential treatment comes after Davis’ involvement in significant federal cuts that impacted many Nevadans.
In a swift response to a call from Davis, Lombardo’s administration allegedly rescinded substantial safety fines imposed on The Boring Company. This decision followed an incident where two firefighters suffered chemical burns in one of the company’s tunnels. The Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) originally fined The Boring Company $400,000 for unsafe working conditions and inadequate protective gear, but these penalties were subsequently dropped with minimal explanation.
Retired firefighter and former Battalion Chief Mike Pilcher criticized the Lombardo administration, expressing concern over what he perceives as interference in Nevada’s workplace safety. “I’m deeply alarmed by what appears to be interference in Nevada’s workplace safety,” he stated in an interview with KVVU.
Lombardo’s office had previously lauded Davis’ efforts with DOGE, declaring, “We need DOGE reforms in Nevada!” Under Davis’ leadership, DOGE implemented drastic financial cuts, including slashing $120 million in medical research grants for Nevada universities, jeopardizing critical studies such as drug overdose prevention.
Furthermore, the DOGE cuts resulted in the termination of an $8.4 million initiative aimed at addressing the mental health needs of homeless children in Nevada, affecting approximately 15,000 children according to the Nevada Home Alliance. The cuts also led to the dismissal of USDA and Department of Veterans Affairs workers in the state.
American Journal News: Lombardo blasted for backing DOGE over injured firefighters
- Allegations have been made against Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo for allegedly giving preferential treatment to business executive Steve Davis, who had a pivotal role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
- Since the beginning of the year, DOGE has overseen extensive federal program cuts, severely affecting Nevadans and leading to significant job losses among federal employees.
- Steve Davis served as the effective leader of DOGE from January to May 2025, after his tenure as president of The Boring Company, which is constructing an underground passenger transport system in Las Vegas.
- In December 2024, two firefighters from Clark County were injured during a training exercise in one of The Boring Company tunnels, suffering from burns and permanent scarring due to chemical exposure. Reports indicate that company employees were also affected by the chemicals.
- OSHA fined The Boring Company $400,000 for failing to ensure safe work conditions, but the fines were unexpectedly rescinded shortly after Davis contacted Lombardo’s office, as reported by Fortune magazine.
- Mike Pilchner, a retired firefighter, voiced his concerns about the situation, stating, “I’m deeply alarmed by what appears to be interference in Nevada’s workplace safety.”
- Lombardo had previously commended Davis’ work with DOGE, stating in February 2025, “We need DOGE reforms in Nevada!”
- Davis, during his tenure, pushed for reductions in medical research funding, including a $120 million cut to Nevada university grants, affecting vital drug overdose prevention projects.
- The DOGE cuts also eliminated an $8.4 million grant program aimed at supporting the mental health of homeless children in Nevada, a state where approximately 15,000 children face housing instability.
Read More Here
