WASHINGTON — The entrance of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) into the federal landscape has sparked significant concern, shifting discussions from merely reducing government waste to a much broader discourse involving privacy rights and the United States’ fiscal integrity on the global stage.
DOGE, which has been driven by billionaire Elon Musk, a well-known supporter of Donald Trump, is undertaking aggressive measures to reduce government spending. This radical approach includes attempts to eliminate thousands of federal jobs, dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, and manipulate the extensive payment systems used by the Treasury Department.
In response, various advocacy organizations and labor unions have taken legal action to protect federal agencies and personnel. Five former treasury secretaries have publicly expressed their concerns regarding the potential dangers posed by DOGE’s access to sensitive Treasury payment systems. They have highlighted the risk of jeopardizing funds that have been sanctioned by Congress, which they deem a significant breach of trust.
In an op-ed, the former treasury secretaries — Robert Rubin, Larry Summers, Timothy Geithner, Jacob Lew, and Janet Yellen — claimed that any notion of selectively halting authorized payments undermines the reliability of the U.S. financial system. They emphasized that arbitrary control over federal payments would be not only unlawful but also detrimental to democratic integrity.
Musk took to his social media platform X, asserting that excessive government spending must cease to avert potential national bankruptcy. He insinuated that many who benefit from waste will undoubtedly oppose the changes he is advocating, stating, “Too bad. Deal with it.”
Experts in finance and digital privacy caution that the intricate nature of the U.S. financial system could be at risk from DOGE’s unilateral decisions. They also expressed concerns about the potential mishandling of delicate personal information, thereby increasing risks to citizens’ privacy.
Andrew Metrick, director of the Yale Program on Financial Stability, characterized DOGE as a “go fast and break things group,” warning that their aggressive tactics could endanger the financial system and the U.S. dollar’s global status. He argued that actions compromising the credibility of U.S. bonds could lead to a perceived default, particularly problematic when the country is near its debt limit.
The complex U.S. financial apparatus is sensitive, Metrick explained, and a few missteps could erode global confidence.
Cybersecurity issues further complicate matters, as the public remains largely in the dark regarding the protective measures that Musk and his team have implemented to safeguard the sensitive data they accessed. John Davisson, a senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, labeled DOGE’s data access as potentially the largest and most consequential data breach in U.S. history.
According to Davisson, the Treasury Department contains critical personal information, including individual and corporate taxes, medical records, social security details, and much more. Typically, employees who work with this data undergo rigorous training and follow a series of strict regulations to prevent unauthorized access and breaches. This system, while not perfect, is designed to protect sensitive information from being misused.
Davisson asserted that the current operations are essential for safeguarding against risks like identity theft and other criminal activities that could arise from mishandling data. He dismissed claims from Musk and Trump suggesting that the excess access to data is about streamlining efficiency in government operations.
In light of ongoing disputes regarding DOGE’s interaction with the Treasury Department, labor unions and advocacy groups have filed lawsuits to prevent a review of the payment system due to legality concerns. A recent ruling from U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly limited DOGE’s access to the payment systems to just two individuals, one of whom is now listed as a fiscal assistant secretary on the Treasury’s website.
A legal victory for 19 Democratic attorneys general seeking to block DOGE’s access to sensitive Treasury data has signified that citizens can challenge Musk’s maneuvers effectively, according to Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen. Gilbert emphasized that personal information in federal records is protected by law, noting that DOGE’s expedited tactics were not typical of governmental operations, prompting necessary judicial responses.
Finally, Trump commented on Fox News, asserting that Musk stands to gain nothing from his involvement in DOGE while claiming, “We’re going to find billions, hundreds of billions, of dollars of fraud and abuse.” Metrick concluded with concern, stating that while DOGE may perceive the government as malleable, the Treasury Department represents a vital force of stability.
