Senate Democrats are raising alarm bells about President Trump's decision to grant billionaire Elon Musk and his staff access to sensitive data and classified secrets as part of their work to overhaul the federal government. They are demanding answers about security protocols and potential risks to national security and personal privacy.
Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee are demanding answers after they allege that President Donald Trump granted billionaire Elon Musk and his staff access to sensitive data and classified secrets as part of their work to overhaul the federal government.
The lawmakers, in a letter addressed to Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, on Wednesday, inquired about the security measures implemented to prevent unauthorized leaks of information by personnel at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump appointed Musk to lead the task force, which has been swiftly dismantling entire federal agencies.As part of this initiative, Musk and his team have gained access to computer systems containing potentially sensitive medical, financial, and payroll information about millions of Americans, along with classified documents, data from foreign intelligence partners, and the identities of undercover agents and intelligence sources. The senators expressed concern that national security and the privacy of Americans could be jeopardized if this information is mishandled, either intentionally or through negligence. They sought clarification on whether Musk’s team has consulted with U.S. intelligence officials regarding strategies to minimize the risk of data misuse and safeguards to protect classified information, such as the identities of CIA informants or the activities of overseas intelligence operatives. The senators emphasized that such information would be highly valuable to intelligence agencies of countries like Russia, China, Iran, and others, and its loss could jeopardize lives and undermine efforts to counter terrorism and other threats to the U.S. The senators also pointed out the lack of transparency regarding DOGE’s operations, questioning who has been formally hired under this department, its legal authority and regulations, and its staff and representative vetting and monitoring processes before granting them seemingly unrestricted access to classified materials and Americans’ personal data. The letter was signed by seven Democratic members of the Intelligence Committee, along with independent Senator Angus King of Maine. The White House has yet to respond to the senators’ inquiries. Musk has previously dismissed criticism of his government involvement, asserting that it merely reflects the urgency of his efforts
ELON MUSK DONALD TRUMP CLASSIFIED DATA NATIONAL SECURITY SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
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