Concerns are growing over Elon Musk’s access to classified government data. Senior Democrats are calling for an urgent investigation into potential security breaches linked to Musk’s self-styled “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge). Meanwhile, support for Musk among Republicans is dwindling.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are raising alarms about Musk and his team possibly accessing classified information without proper authorization. Their letter, published Thursday, highlights potential breaches at key federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the US Treasury, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The lawmakers argue there is no evidence that Musk or his team has legal clearance to access government systems. They question whether adequate security vetting was done before granting them access to sensitive taxpayer and government data. As a result, inspectors general from multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Education and the General Services Administration, have been urged to investigate potential national security risks.
The scrutiny follows a recent court ruling that limited Doge’s interference with the US Treasury’s sensitive payment system. This came after reports that Musk’s associates attempted to block USAID payments, raising concerns within the civil service and prompting legal action.
While Musk initially enjoyed strong Republican support, his actions in federal agencies have led to fractures within the party. A recent Economist/YouGov poll revealed that only 26% of Republicans now back Musk’s influence in the Trump administration, down from 47% after Trump’s election victory.
Some Republican senators are expressing concerns. Musk’s team has taken control of USAID, accessed Treasury payment systems, and obtained personal data of federal employees—moves that have triggered lawsuits and legal warnings from the Justice Department. On Wednesday, Doge agents attempted to access data at multiple government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Labor.
Musk’s next target seems to be the Department of Education, which has long been a focus of Trump’s downsizing efforts. Similar to actions at other agencies, employees were told not to report to work, placed on leave, or locked out of government email systems. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has set a Thursday deadline for federal employees to accept buyouts or risk termination without compensation, though critics argue there’s no guarantee of payment.
Democrats view Musk’s infiltration of the federal government as a direct threat to democracy. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Doge an “unelected shadow government” taking over federal agencies.
“Democracy does not work in the shadows or bypass the rule of law,” Schumer stated.
The White House has defended Musk’s role, clarifying that Trump designated him as an unsalaried “special government employee” tasked with eliminating inefficiency. Trump himself reassured the public that Musk “can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval.”
Despite these reassurances, legal challenges against Musk’s influence are intensifying. The Justice Department has temporarily restricted Doge staff from accessing the Treasury Department’s payment system following lawsuits from federal employees and retirees claiming privacy violations. Meanwhile, Congressman Mark Pocan introduced the Eliminate Looting of Our Nation by Mitigating Unethical State Kleptocracy Act—also known as the Elon Musk Act—aimed at preventing individuals like Musk from exploiting government resources for personal gain.
As investigations continue and legal battles unfold, the future of Musk’s unofficial government role remains uncertain.