Elon Musk's Government Taskforce Faces Legal Challenges Over Data Access

State attorneys general and unions push back against Musk-led cost-cutting initiative, citing privacy and constitutional concerns.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has been accused of overreach in accessing sensitive government data, prompting legal action by state attorneys general from 12 Democratic-led states.
DOGE's efforts to cut $2 trillion in federal spending by 2026 include reducing bureaucracy, replacing civil servants, and dismantling agencies like USAID, raising alarms about privacy and national security risks.
Critics claim DOGE operatives, some inexperienced and lacking security clearances, have gained access to key government departments, including the CIA and Treasury, potentially exposing sensitive data.
Unions and advocacy groups have filed lawsuits to block DOGE's access to payment systems and employee data, with a Washington court already limiting its reach into the Department of Labor.
Concerns over potential conflicts of interest have arisen, as Musk's companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, maintain government contracts, with the White House stating Musk is responsible for managing such conflicts himself.