Overview

• DOGE, under Elon Musk's leadership, obtained administrative access to the Federal Personnel and Payroll System, affecting 276,000 federal employees.
• Senior Interior Department officials warned that granting access posed cybersecurity risks and violated standard protocols, but their concerns were bypassed.
• DOGE employees can now view sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, and have increased authority over federal hiring and firing processes.
• Two IT officials who resisted the access were placed on administrative leave and are under investigation for alleged workplace behavior.
• The Interior Department defended the move as part of President Trump's directive to improve government efficiency, despite widespread criticism over transparency and oversight.