White House: Musk, DOGE Complying With Federal Law
Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency are in “full compliance” with federal law and are operating with “appropriate security clearances” as government agents, a White House official said in a statement Tuesday evening.
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Democrats are investigating whether Musk and DOGE employees violated federal data privacy and security law by accessing various government databases, including the Treasury Department’s payment system (see 2502040048).
“DOGE is fulfilling President Trump’s commitment to making government more accountable, efficient, and, most importantly, restoring proper stewardship of the American taxpayer’s hard-earned dollars,” the White House official said. “Those leading this mission with Elon Musk are doing so in full compliance with federal law, appropriate security clearances, and as employees of the relevant agencies, not as outside advisors or entities. The ongoing operations of DOGE may be seen as disruptive by those entrenched in the federal bureaucracy, who resist change. While change can be uncomfortable, it is necessary and aligns with the mandate supported by more than 77 million American voters.”
Democratic leaders on the Senate Intelligence Committee, the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday reiterated their national security and data privacy concerns about DOGE. Senate Intelligence Democrats, led by ranking member Mark Warner, D-Va., wrote the White House with concerns about DOGE accessing classified materials, payment system data and social security and health benefits data. “No information has been provided to Congress or the public as to who has been formally hired under DOGE, under what authority or regulations DOGE is operating, or how DOGE is vetting and monitoring its staff and representatives before providing them seemingly unfettered access to classified materials and Americans’ personal information,” they wrote.
House Oversight Committee ranking member Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said he plans to file a subpoena to get Musk to testify before the committee. House Homeland Security Committee ranking member Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., wrote the Office of Management and Budget demanding the Trump Administration follow all federal data protection laws.