Democrats in Washington are expressing strong opposition to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), particularly as it begins to delve into operations at the Education Department. Lawmakers are voicing their concerns regarding DOGE’s potential access to sensitive internal systems, which contain the personal data of millions of Americans.
Recently, a collective of Democrats reached out to the acting education secretary, urging intervention as DOGE appears to be gaining more control over student loan databases and other critical systems. There is a prevailing apprehension that this could set the stage for an overhaul or even a takeover similar to Musk’s controversial move concerning the U.S. Agency for International Development.
On Friday, a group led by California Representative Mark Takano attempted to enter the Education Department’s headquarters but was denied access by security personnel. Takano emphasized President Trump’s intentions to close down the department, stating at a press conference outside the building, “He believes that he can do this through executive order, and we’re here to remind him that he cannot.”
Currently, the Education Department faces significant upheaval as Trump, a Republican, seeks to dismantle it. The White House is reportedly considering an executive order instructing the education secretary to reduce the department’s functions drastically while simultaneously urging Congress to abolish the entity entirely. Numerous employees have been placed on paid leave without clear justification, and DOGE staff members have begun examining the department’s records in an effort to cut costs.
According to sources familiar with the situation, DOGE’s team has already obtained access to a database that stores the personal information of millions of students and their parents with federal student loans. One department employee revealed that a DOGE representative made a formal request for access more than a week prior.
Those who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of repercussions described the DOGE team as composed mostly of younger individuals working out of the undersecretary’s office. Observations indicate they have been seen rummaging through departmental materials without much interaction with other staff. Sheria Smith, president of a federal employees union representing some department staff, mentioned, “They are not interacting at all, not even cordially, with anyone who is not part of their team.”
The DOGE team is reportedly advocating for significant budget cuts, including an 80% decrease in funding for a contract with Accenture, an IT services firm managing essential support for families applying for federal financial aid. This contract is valued at $824 million and has two years left to run. Department employees pushed back against DOGE’s recommendations, contending that several provisions aimed at simplifying loan applications had been mandated by Congress.
In response to a problematic rollout of the revised FAFSA application last year, additional support was provided to the call centers to assist families. However, the situation has escalated, leading to a federal lawsuit filed to halt DOGE’s access to student financial aid systems, which advocates say infringes on the privacy rights of millions of federal student loan recipients.
The lawsuit was brought forth by a group advocating for student rights on behalf of the University of California Student Association. It alleges that DOGE now possesses access to highly sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, birth dates, and contact details for student loan borrowers, as well as similar information about their parents. This invasion of privacy is deemed “enormous and unprecedented” for over 42 million individuals whose data resides within Federal Student Aid systems.
The Education Department, however, insists that DOGE is there to assist in transitioning back to in-person operations, holding employees accountable, and reforming the hiring process to prioritize merit. The department stated that there is “nothing inappropriate or nefarious going on,” maintaining that DOGE employees are federal workers who have completed necessary background checks and clearances to enhance efficiency and accountability.
Rep. Bobby Scott, a senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, has urged a government watchdog to assess data security practices within the Education Department and other agencies where Musk’s team has been granted access. He referred to this scenario as a “constitutional emergency” in a letter sent to the Government Accountability Office. “There is now a void of oversight for a very young and inexperienced team and their leader, the world’s richest man,” Scott emphasized.
Trump’s campaign promises to dissolve the Education Department have faced challenges, underscoring the fact that its existence and budget largely depend on Congressional mandates. It remains uncertain whether Trump can gather sufficient political backing to follow through with his pledge, a goal that has repeatedly proven unpopular among many lawmakers.
