Trump Criticizes U.S. Security Amid Concerns Over DOGE Access to Federal Systems

President Donald Trump expressed concerns on Friday about the state of U.S. security, particularly in relation to how Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were able to gain access to sensitive federal information.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump openly admitted that security vulnerabilities in the federal system allowed such access to happen easily.

When asked why DOGE needed access to Americans' personal information, such as Social Security numbers, Trump responded bluntly.

“Well, it doesn’t. But they get it very easily,” he said, emphasizing what he described as weak security measures in the U.S.

“I mean, we don’t have very good security in our country,” Trump continued.

The remarks came amid growing legal and political scrutiny surrounding Musk and his DOGE team, particularly concerning the extent of their access to sensitive government data.

Over the past week, multiple reports have surfaced indicating that DOGE employees accessed critical federal payment systems and played a role in forcing out a long-serving Treasury Department official.

Concerns escalated further after The New York Times reported that the Treasury Department’s chief of staff was allegedly considering using access to the payment system to freeze payments directed to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

This revelation raised alarms among both lawmakers and financial oversight officials, who warned that improper interference in federal financial systems could have serious legal and economic consequences.

Both the White House and the Treasury Department have since responded, stating that the administration is currently reviewing operations within the Fiscal Service. They assured the public that DOGE employees will only have observational access and will not be permitted to modify or halt payments moving through the system.

However, contradicting reports suggested that at least one DOGE staffer may have had the ability to modify base code within the payment system, sparking renewed fears over the extent of DOGE’s influence within federal financial operations.

In response to these concerns, the Department of Justice intervened on Wednesday, placing restrictions on DOGE’s access to sensitive payment systems. Under a newly issued order, the number of DOGE-affiliated employees granted access was significantly reduced, allowing only two staffers to maintain limited entry to the Fiscal Service.

The order explicitly stated that these individuals would not have the ability to edit or manipulate federal transactions.

The decision to restrict DOGE's role in financial oversight came after multiple lawmakers, particularly from the Democratic Party, demanded stronger safeguards to prevent unauthorized influence over government funding mechanisms.

Critics argued that allowing external entities, particularly those aligned with Musk, to oversee federal payments created serious risks, both in terms of data security and financial integrity.

Despite the restrictions, Musk and his allies within DOGE have continued to advance their aggressive campaign to slash federal bureaucracy and reduce government spending.

Since the department’s inception, DOGE has pushed for sweeping changes in how federal agencies operate, seeking to eliminate inefficiencies and streamline operations.

Trump’s administration has been supportive of these efforts, with the president himself taking steps to limit the size of the federal workforce. On his first day back in office, Trump reinstated a federal hiring freeze, effectively preventing agencies from bringing on new employees.

Additionally, thousands of federal workers have been presented with deferred resignation packages, signaling a shift toward a leaner government structure.

Musk’s involvement in the reformation of federal operations has only intensified since Trump’s return to the White House. His partnership with DOGE has been framed as an attempt to modernize and optimize government processes, yet critics argue that such efforts could come at the cost of transparency and oversight.

Democratic lawmakers have called for further investigations into the extent of Musk and DOGE’s authority within the administration. Some have expressed concerns that the department could be used to push a political agenda rather than serve as an impartial government reform entity.

As the controversy surrounding DOGE’s access to sensitive government systems continues to unfold, the debate over federal security and oversight remains at the forefront of political discourse.

Trump’s remarks on Friday have only added fuel to the fire, highlighting the ongoing struggle between those seeking sweeping government reforms and those calling for stricter safeguards against potential abuses of power.

With the administration under increasing pressure to clarify its stance on government security, it remains to be seen whether additional measures will be implemented to further restrict DOGE’s role in federal financial operations.

For now, the limits placed by the Department of Justice mark a significant step in the effort to prevent potential overreach while allowing DOGE to continue its work within defined legal boundaries.