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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) expressed deep concern Sunday over reports that tech billionaire Elon Musk gained access to U.S. classified information. She warned that such access poses a “grave threat” to national security, calling for urgent action to address the situation.
“This is a five-alarm fire,” Ocasio-Cortez posted on social platform X, which Musk owns. “The people elected Donald Trump to be President – not Elon Musk.”
Her statement came in response to reports that senior security officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were placed on administrative leave after refusing to turn over classified material to teams from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency run by Musk.
“Having an unelected billionaire, with his own foreign debts and motives, raiding U.S. classified information is a grave threat to national security,” she continued. “This should not be a partisan issue.”
The controversy began when officials at USAID reportedly resisted efforts to provide DOGE with sensitive intelligence documents. Despite their resistance, DOGE eventually gained access to some of the agency’s classified information, including intelligence reports.
The revelations have triggered bipartisan concern over the level of authority Musk appears to wield within the federal government.
Musk has recently intensified his efforts to take control of USAID, arguing that the agency should be disbanded due to inefficiencies and wasteful spending.
He has claimed that President Donald Trump supports his efforts, a stance Trump has echoed in public criticisms of USAID.
The issue extends beyond USAID. DOGE has also been involved in a similar operation at the Treasury Department, where it reportedly gained access to the federal government’s payment system.
The move has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent demanding information about DOGE’s involvement. She specifically inquired whether Americans’ private financial data had been compromised.
The growing influence of Musk in government operations has alarmed many officials. Critics argue that his role in DOGE grants him undue influence over national security matters, financial operations, and policy decisions.
Ocasio-Cortez and other lawmakers are urging immediate oversight and accountability to prevent further breaches. The congresswoman emphasized that allowing a private individual with extensive foreign ties to access classified U.S. intelligence could pose significant risks.
“If there are no guardrails to stop this kind of access, what else is happening behind closed doors?” she asked.
The unfolding situation raises pressing questions about transparency, oversight, and the balance of power between elected officials and influential private individuals.
As scrutiny intensifies, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are expected to push for congressional hearings and possible legislative actions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For now, the Biden administration has not issued an official response, but pressure is mounting for government agencies to clarify how Musk’s DOGE team gained access to such sensitive materials.
The ongoing debate will likely shape discussions on government accountability and the role of private sector figures in federal operations.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Congress takes action to limit DOGE’s reach or if Musk continues to expand his influence within key agencies.
The national security implications of this controversy will likely remain a focal point in Washington, with lawmakers pressing for answers and safeguards to prevent further breaches.
