WASHINGTON, D.C. – Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is raising concerns that Elon Musk’s access to classified government data and Americans’ personal information could pose a national security threat. He and a group of Senators are urging the White House to address security risks related to unvetted DOGE staff members gaining access to classified materials and sensitive government systems.
What we know:
Sen. Ossoff and a group of Senators have called on the White House to clarify who has been hired under DOGE, the authority under which it operates, and how staff members are vetted before gaining access to classified materials.
“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,” Ossoff and his colleagues wrote in their inquiry.
The concerns follow media reports that unvetted DOGE inspectors have accessed classified intelligence reports, Social Security and Medicare payment systems at the Treasury Department, and federal personnel records from the Office of Personnel Management.
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The Senators warned that DOGE’s security failures—such as allowing staff to use personal devices on secure networks—make it easier for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities, putting Americans’ Social Security numbers, banking details, and personal data at risk.
“As you know, information is classified to protect the national security interests of the United States. Government employees and contractors only receive access to such information after they have undergone a rigorous background investigation and demonstrated a ‘need to know.’ Circumventing these requirements creates enormous counterintelligence and security risks,” the Senators stated.
The other senators who joined Ossoff in sending the letter were Sen Mark R. Warner from Virginia, Sen. Ron Wyden from Oregon, Sen. Martin Heinrich from New Mexico, Sen. Angus S. King from Maine, Jr. Sen. Michael F. Bennet from Colorado, Sen. Kristen Gillibrand from New York and Sen. Mark Kelly from Arizona.
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The backstory:
This is not the first time Sen. Ossoff has taken action on data security and privacy issues. In 2022, he launched an FBI inquiry into its use of facial recognition technology, seeking assurances that the First and Fourth Amendment rights of Americans were being upheld.
Additionally, this week, Sen. Ossoff criticized the Trump Administration’s attacks on the CDC, warning that they pose serious risks to public health.
“The Trump Administration is undermining vital CDC data, research, and public health reporting, endangering Georgians and all Americans who depend on the world’s leading public health agency. The Trump Administration’s apparent campaign to hollow out America’s public health system puts us all at risk. I will vigorously fight back against attempts to weaken the CDC and political attacks on its employees,” Ossoff said.
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What’s next:
Sen. Ossoff and his colleagues are demanding answers from the White House about how DOGE personnel are being screened and whether proper security measures are in place. Their inquiry underscores growing concerns over data privacy, government transparency, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
As lawmakers continue to press for more oversight, the question remains: Will the White House impose stricter regulations to protect national security, or will DOGE continue to operate without proper accountability?
