> Why on earth would they need something as visible and aggressive as DOGE to extract data?

I think this is obvious. It was one of many goals, that aligned under an umbrella of activities. Asking for specific data creates a paper trail and triggers regulation. Restricting access, taking outright possession of hardware, and firing people along the way, helps shield the activity.

> Can't it simply be a case of aggressive and overoptimistic attempts to cut spending

aka "Aww shucks, we were just doin our best."

No rational organization would take many of the actions that were taken, if one of their primary goals was accountability. It was a smash and grab (disorganized would be fair to say), with an ad-hoc rationalization that was never reasoned.