Elon Musk’s expanding influence within federal agencies is triggering serious concerns. Senior Democrats are calling for an urgent investigation into potential security breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive government data. Meanwhile, Republican support for Musk appears to be fading.
Democrats from the House Oversight Committee are urging multiple federal agencies to investigate Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge). They suspect Musk and his team may have improperly accessed classified information from agencies such as the US Treasury, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and USAID.
In a letter released Thursday, lawmakers expressed deep concern that Musk’s associates may be operating without proper security clearance. They questioned whether Musk or his Doge team had been lawfully granted access to taxpayer and government data. The call for an investigation extends to agencies like the Department of Education, the General Services Administration, and the Small Business Administration.
A federal judge recently placed restrictions on Doge’s access to the Treasury Department’s payment system. This decision came after reports surfaced that Musk’s team had attempted to block USAID payments, leading to disruptions within the civil service and sparking legal action.
Although Musk once enjoyed strong Republican support, his expanding control over federal agencies is causing divisions within the party. A recent Economist/YouGov poll revealed that only 26% of Republicans now support Musk’s role in the Trump administration—down from 47% immediately after Trump’s election win.
Some Republican senators have also voiced concerns. Musk’s takeover of USAID, his direct access to Treasury payment systems, and his handling of federal employee data have already led to lawsuits. On Wednesday, Doge operatives attempted to gain access to additional agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Labor.
Musk’s next apparent target is the Department of Education, a frequent focus of Trump’s efforts to reduce government size. Employees were reportedly locked out of email accounts, placed on leave, or told not to report to work—similar to tactics used at other agencies. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has given federal employees a Thursday deadline to accept buyouts or face termination without compensation. Critics argue that even those who accept buyouts may not be paid.
Democrats are alarmed by Musk’s growing grip on federal operations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denounced Doge as an “unelected shadow government” attempting a hostile takeover of the federal bureaucracy.
“Democracy does not operate in secrecy or ignore the rule of law,” Schumer said in a Senate speech.
Despite the controversy, the White House has defended Musk’s involvement. Officials stated that Trump appointed him as an unpaid “special government employee” to reduce inefficiency in federal spending. Trump himself insisted that Musk “can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval.”
However, legal battles continue to escalate. The Justice Department recently restricted Doge staffers from accessing Treasury financial systems following lawsuits from federal employees and retirees who claim their privacy was violated. Meanwhile, Congressman Mark Pocan introduced the Eliminate Looting of Our Nation by Mitigating Unethical State Kleptocracy Act—also known as the Elon Musk Act—to prevent billionaires from using government resources for personal gain.
As lawsuits mount and bipartisan concerns grow, Musk’s controversial role in the federal government faces increasing scrutiny. The fight over his influence is just beginning.
