Lawmakers have expressed concerns about potential security risks as Elon Musk’s team, particularly the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been granted access to federal systems, raising questions about privacy and data security. Democratic members of the House Homeland Security committee issued a letter criticizing the department for its actions, stating that DOGE has been accessing a significant amount of information about Americans without adhering to standard security and privacy protocols. Despite the government’s efforts to secure sensitive data from foreign adversaries, lawmakers believe that Musk and his team should not be exempt from these security policies.
Furthermore, Democratic senators on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence have raised alarm over the lack of transparency regarding DOGE’s hiring practices and access to classified materials. Concerns have been raised about the potential cybersecurity risks associated with DOGE’s handling of sensitive government systems, including reports of Musk’s aides displacing senior career employees from key data systems. This move could potentially expose millions of Americans’ personal information to security breaches and cyberattacks.
In response to these criticisms, the Department of Treasury has announced that a tech executive from DOGE would only be granted “read-only access” to federal payment systems. However, this decision has not appeased the growing concerns among Democratic lawmakers, who have called for further investigations into DOGE’s activities. Additionally, a memo from the acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management could ease the process for Musk’s associates to assume government technology positions within federal agencies, raising questions about the potential implications of political appointees having access to sensitive government data.
Despite these controversies, the White House has defended Musk’s access to federal data systems, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissing the criticisms from Democratic leaders. According to Leavitt, Musk’s involvement in overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency is part of an effort to ensure greater accountability and transparency in government spending. Trump’s administration has maintained that Musk’s role in the federal government is meant to improve efficiency and financial oversight.
As concerns continue to mount over the security implications of DOGE’s involvement in federal systems, lawmakers are calling for greater scrutiny and transparency regarding Musk’s access to sensitive government data. The Federal Aviation Administration has also come under scrutiny as a potential target for DOGE, further raising apprehensions about the extent of Musk’s influence within the federal government. Amidst these debates, the ongoing discussions about privacy, data security, and government transparency will likely shape the future of Musk’s role in federal systems and raise broader questions about the intersection of technology, governance, and accountability.