Part one of an ongoing series documenting how Elon Musk, a non-native-born, naturalized citizen of the United States, has single-handedly usurped the authority of a weak president to gain access to your most sensitive personal data.
Photo credits: Wikipedia: Interior view of the destroyed Fasanenstrasse Synagogue, Berlin, burned during the November Pogroms – Musk: Video screenshot / AP feed via People’s WorldWhen Elon Musk was appointed to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), few anticipated the sweeping and unchecked access he and his team would be granted. Under the guise of restructuring bloated bureaucracies, Musk leveraged executive authority to gain entry into some of the most sensitive U.S. government systems. His access was not only extensive but also largely unchallenged, raising urgent concerns about national security, transparency, and the rule of law.
The Executive Order That Opened the Gates
President Donald Trump’s executive order on January 20, 2025, created DOGE as an oversight body tasked with eliminating inefficiencies in federal agencies. However, the order granted DOGE authority far beyond what typical government reform efforts have received. Unlike traditional government auditors, DOGE operatives were not required to go through the usual security clearance procedures before gaining access to government facilities and digital infrastructures.
At the Department of the Treasury, DOGE personnel were granted administrative privileges over critical payment infrastructures, including systems responsible for disbursing Social Security benefits and federal employee salaries. This access was facilitated through cooperation from Trump-appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who supported DOGE’s mission despite concerns raised by senior staff.
Dismantling Resistance: The Removal of Government Officials
Musk’s DOGE team did not simply bypass standard clearance processes; they actively removed barriers standing in their way. At USAID, officials who questioned the legality of DOGE’s actions were swiftly placed on administrative leave. These dismissals paved the way for unrestricted access to agency data, including classified information on U.S. foreign aid operations.
Inspector General Paul Martin, who attempted to expose the risks associated with DOGE’s overreach, was dismissed after releasing a report detailing the impact of the department’s interference. His report warned that dismantling USAID’s structure would lead to billions of dollars in lost aid tracking and operational failures. Within 24 hours of publishing his findings, Martin was removed from his position without official explanation.
Physical Access: Walking Through the Front Door
Despite high-level security at federal agencies, DOGE operatives encountered little resistance when entering government facilities. Rather than sneaking past guards or breaking into secure systems, they walked in under the authority of the executive order. Federal security personnel, bound by the chain of command, had no grounds to prevent DOGE’s entry. When objections were raised, Musk’s team cited their official mandate, and in several cases, security officials who attempted to resist were sidelined or dismissed.
“When USAID Director of Security John Voorhees and his deputy, Brian McGill, refused to allow them in, the DOGE employees threatened to call the U.S. Marshals, two of the sources said. The DOGE employees were eventually able to gain access to the secure systems, according to three of the sources, but it was not clear what information they were able to obtain.” NBC News
Unlike traditional governmental oversight bodies, which require stringent approvals and multiple layers of authorization to access secure networks, DOGE operatives were given broad administrative privileges by appointees who supported Musk’s reforms. At times, DOGE’s actions mirrored corporate takeover strategies, where executive mandates override institutional resistance, allowing sweeping changes to be implemented without internal debate.
A Dangerous Precedent: The Rise of Techno-Fascism?
The events surrounding Musk’s control over federal systems have led critics to argue that the U.S. is witnessing the emergence of techno-fascism—a system where technological elites wield authoritarian power under the guise of efficiency and progress. By circumventing standard security protocols, eliminating opposition, and consolidating control over critical government functions, Musk’s DOGE represents a radical shift in governance.
While his supporters argue that his methods are necessary to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies, the broader implications are deeply concerning. Unchecked access to federal systems by a private individual sets a dangerous precedent, one that risks undermining democratic accountability and national security.
What Happens Next?
Efforts to curtail Musk’s access to federal systems are underway, but his control over key infrastructures remains largely intact. The question now is whether the U.S. government can reclaim its systems before Musk’s influence becomes irreversible.
This is only the beginning of the story. In future articles, we will explore what data Musk has gained access to, the implications for ordinary Americans, and the potential risks associated with his unprecedented level of control over government information.
