Democratic senators protest after they say Trump gave Musk’s staff access to classified info
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WASHINGTON — Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee are demanding answers after they say President Trump gave 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 on Wednesday wrote to Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, and asked what security precautions had been taken to prevent unauthorized leaks of information by staff at what Musk calls the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Trump tapped Musk to run the task force, which has quickly gotten to work dismantling whole agencies of the federal government.
As part of that effort, Musk and his staff have gained access to computer systems that the senators say contain potentially sensitive medical and financial information about millions of Americans as well as federal payroll information, classified documents, information from foreign intelligence partners and the identities of undercover agents and intelligence sources.
In the letter, the senators warned that national security and the personal privacy of Americans could be at risk if the information is mishandled — intentionally or through negligence.
Billionaire Elon Musk was the focus of many in Washington this week, as his Department of Government Efficiency slashed at the federal bureaucracy.
They ask whether Musk’s team has met with U.S. intelligence officials to discuss how to reduce the chances of the data being misused and what steps to take to protect classified information, such as the identities of CIA informants or the actions of overseas intelligence operatives.
Such information would be highly valuable to the spy agencies of Russia, China, Iran and other nations, and its loss could put lives at risk while undermining efforts to prevent terrorism and other threats to the U.S., the senators wrote.
In its first two weeks, President Trump’s administration has made significant changes to the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“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,” the senators wrote.
The letter was signed by seven Democrats serving on the Intelligence Committee as well as independent Sen. Angus King of Maine.
The White House did not immediately respond to the senators’ questions. Musk has dismissed criticism of his government involvement, saying it just shows his effort is needed.
Klepper writes for the Associated Press.
President Trump said he will cut funding to South Africa in a move that reflects Elon Musk’s false claims over the years over his country of birth.
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