Resistance to Elon Musk’s DOGE team likely broke the law, federal prosecutor says
New York PostFEB 1
Student Groups Sue Over Musk Team's Access to Federal Aid Data
Above: The US Department of Education headquarters in Washington, DC on Feb. 5, 2025. Image copyright: Stefani Reynolds/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
The University of California Student Association filed a federal lawsuit against the US Department of Education (ED), challenging Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team's access to confidential student data containing personal information of over 42M federal student loan borrowers.
The DOGE team has gained access to databases containing information including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, contact information, demographic details, and bank account information of students and their parents who have applied for federal financial aid.
Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), have requested the Government Accountability Office to investigate DOGE's actions at federal agencies, particularly focusing on the security of the ED's information technology (IT) systems.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
DOGE has no moral or legal right to access sensitive government data. This access, given by the Treasury Dept., violates privacy rights and constitutional principles. No one, not even Elon Musk, should bypass legal frameworks to manipulate federal systems or block essential payments. This unauthorized intrusion demands immediate legal action to protect citizens' privacy and uphold the law.
Republican narrative
DOGE, appointed by the head of the executive branch to audit the executive branch, has the legal right and moral duty to uncover years of waste by unelected bureaucrats. What is illegal is the attempt by corrupt politicians to block DOGE, which is why the FBI is probing such tactics. The real reason Democrats are concerned is out of fear that their wasteful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs — which have caused immeasurable harm to students — will be exposed.
The Controversies
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