5 KEY POINT SUMMARY: Musk Russia hacking
- A whistleblower says Russian hackers used DOGE-created logins within minutes.
- The NLRB and other federal agencies reportedly had data exposed.
- DOGE allegedly used Starlink to transmit sensitive U.S. files.
- Musk Russia hacking scandal grows due to Kremlin access concerns.
- Critical systems at the Department of Energy may also be at risk.
Russians Used DOGE Accounts Almost Instantly
A whistleblower has accused DOGE of exposing U.S. government systems to Russian hackers. Daniel Bertulis, an employee at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), revealed the breach during a CNN interview. He appeared alongside attorney Andrew Bakaj and detailed how login credentials were compromised.
According to them, DOGE technicians created new user accounts that matched credentials used by Russian IP addresses within 15 minutes. The incident raised serious concerns about internal security and potential surveillance.
Hackers Matched Credentials With Precision
Bakaj said attackers used the exact usernames and passwords that DOGE employees had just created. He emphasized that this wasnโt a random cyberattack. Instead, it pointed to a deliberate and coordinated breach.
โEach login attempt used the right credentials,โ Bakaj stated. โThat level of accuracy shows someone had access to internal processes.โ
Because of this, he believes the breach stemmed from more than just an external hack. Someone likely monitored the credential creation process in real time.
Starlink Allegedly Transferred Sensitive Data
Bakaj also linked the breach to Elon Muskโs Starlink system. He claimed DOGE used the satellite internet network to transfer government data. That method, he said, allowed information to bypass standard protections.
He added, โStarlink wasnโt just providing internet accessโit became a direct channel for data exfiltration. We believe Russia accessed that stream.โ
These claims triggered the growing Musk Russia hacking scandal. Although Musk isnโt directly accused, Starlinkโs alleged use in the breach has drawn intense scrutiny.
Security Risks Extend Beyond NLRB
Bertulis and Bakaj warned that this problem is much bigger than a single agency. Several other federal departments may have suffered similar breaches. These include the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
โCritical systems were left exposed online,โ Bakaj said. โThese systems handle highly sensitive data, including nuclear materials and regulatory protocols.โ
He compared the situation to a reactor failure, where warnings appear too late to prevent disaster. Officials, he said, must act now to contain the damage.
White House Criticized Over Secrecy
The whistleblower also questioned the federal governmentโs public statements. He claimed the White House promoted transparency but withheld essential details. Most notably, he said no one has reviewed the code DOGE used to build its systems.
โWithout open access to the code, no one can verify anything,โ Bertulis explained. โYou canโt claim transparency if everythingโs hidden.โ
That lack of accountability pushed him to speak out. He believes the public has a right to know what went wrong.
Congress Responds To National Security Concerns
Lawmakers have already received the whistleblowerโs disclosures. Several oversight committees are reviewing the claims and preparing investigations. The focus now is on DOGEโs contract, its cybersecurity practices, and Starlinkโs involvement.
Officials want to understand how credentials leaked so quickly. Theyโre also questioning why a satellite system was used to move sensitive data without tighter control.
Security analysts echoed the urgency. โThis couldโve been avoided,โ one expert said. โBetter monitoring wouldโve stopped the intrusion early.โ
Warning Signals Cannot Be Ignored
Bertulis ended his remarks with a direct warning. He said this situation reflects a deeper crisis that could get worse. Government leaders must act before the next breach occurs.
โThis breach is just the beginning,โ he said. โWeโre seeing cracks in the system, and the longer we wait, the harder it gets to fix.โ
With public pressure mounting and officials on alert, the Musk Russia hacking scandal may spark sweeping changes in federal cybersecurity protocols.