Democrats on the U.S. House Oversight Committee have urged federal agencies to investigate potential national security threats linked to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency
(DOGE). In a letter sent Thursday, the lawmakers called on deputy inspectors general across multiple federal agencies to examine alleged security breaches involving Musk's team.
The agencies named in the letter include the U.S. Treasury, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Department of Education, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the General Services Administration, and the Small Business Administration.
The lawmakers' concerns stem from recent actions taken by the Trump administration, which placed USAID staff on leave this week. Musk has publicly stated his intention to shut down USAID, calling it “beyond repair.” Additionally, the letter alleges that unauthorized individuals gained access to classified systems and data at both USAID and OPM. The lawmakers further claim that Musk’s team accessed U.S. payment systems containing sensitive personal information of millions of Americans.
“We are deeply concerned that unauthorized system access could be occurring across the federal government, posing a major threat to the personal privacy of all Americans and to national security,” the lawmakers wrote.
They also expressed skepticism about Musk’s official government role, stating: “Although Elon Musk appears to have been granted the status of ‘Special Government Employee,’ there is no evidence that he or any of his associates operating under the ‘DOGE team’ designation are authorized to access government systems. Nor is there any indication that they have undergone the necessary security vetting to protect taxpayer and government data.”
Musk has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
A White House official, speaking to Reuters on Wednesday, defended Musk and his team, asserting that they possess appropriate security clearances. While they can view payment system data, they do not have the authority to alter it.
The official emphasized, “Musk and his team are operating in full compliance with federal law, holding appropriate security clearances, and functioning as employees of the relevant agencies rather than as external advisors or entities.”
The lawmakers’ letter was addressed primarily to deputy inspectors general rather than the inspectors general themselves, as the Trump administration recently dismissed 17 independent watchdogs in what critics described as a politically motivated purge. Among those still in office is USAID’s inspector general, Paul Martin, who was included in the letter’s recipient list.
The investigation request underscores growing concerns among House Democrats regarding the security implications of Musk’s expanding influence within federal operations. Photo by JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US, Wikimedia commons.
