Elon Musk’s new government agency is already under scrutiny: Critics warn it could be the most significant data breach in U.S. history
The newly established Department of Government Efficiency, abbreviated DOGE, is already sparking controversy. Created by Donald Trump in one of his first executive actions, DOGE operates under the Office of Management and Budget, the United States Digital Service (USDS). Its primary mission? Cutting government spending and red tape.
At the helm is none other than Elon Musk, the President’s trusted confidant. While DOGE has no official federal enforcement authority, it wields substantial influence in shaping economic policies and resource allocation strategies. It does not have a federal role, but mainly an advisory one, cooperating with the White House on matters relating to state economic resources.
Musk’s Doge: Unchecked Power and National Security Concerns
Despite its ambitious goals, DOGE has raised red flags among legal experts and policymakers. US Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly recently issued a restraining order for the sharing of sensitive data on payments from the US Treasury Department, highlighting concerns over transparency and accountability.
Critics argue that DOGE operates outside standard American rules or restrictions, raising alarms about potential legislative violations. Cybersecurity experts, in particular, have expressed shock at the ease with which Musk and his team gained access to control of departments and archives previously protected and made inaccessible by federal employees.
AI, Workforce Reductions, and Agency Shutdowns
Further controversy erupted when many employees of the USAID - United States Agency for International Development - were fired for obstructing the work of DOGE, which in the meantime initiated government closures of various agencies.
Adding to the unease, employees also denounced the problematic measures related to the use of artificial intelligence in government databases, raising many concerns about privacy.
An Overpowered Agency with Minimal Safeguards?
The combination of resigning federal employees, access to sensitive computer systems, and possible violations of budget laws has led to fears that DOGE could operate with excessive latitude and insufficient oversight. While the White House insists that the agency is acting within legal bounds and national security guidelines, both financial analysts and political observers warn of a troubling lack of transparency.
All this points to a possible lack of protections by the White House, which for its part maintains that DOGE is acting in accordance with the law and with the necessary security clearances.
As the situation unfolds, the question remains: Will DOGE enhance government efficiency, or will it become a symbol of unchecked executive power?.
Original article published on Money.it Italy 2025-02-07 16:02:30. Original title: Valanga di accuse su Elon Musk. “Quello che fa è illegale”
