- Members of Musk’s DOGE team have gained administrator-level access to the Department of Education.
- Concerns are mounting over the potential misuse of sensitive student loan data.
- Staff cuts and severance packages raise fears of a widespread purge and unlawful actions.
The rapid deployment of Elon Musk‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team within the Department of Education has raised alarm bells among federal workers and watchdog groups.
Additionally, the situation has caused growing unease among Department of Education staff. Leadership’s offer of deferred resignation packages has led to fears of an impending purge, reminiscent of the situation at Twitter during Musk’s acquisition.
Inside the Controversial Overhaul of the Education Department by DOGE
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team is making waves in federal agencies, with its most recent target being the Department of Education. Two young team members, Akash Bobba and Ethan Shaotran, have gained high-level access to the department’s email system and website, raising alarms about privacy and data security. While such access is highly unusual, the focus on the Education Department has been driven by Musk’s interest in overhauling government efficiency.
The involvement of DOGE team members in handling sensitive student loan data has created a storm of concern. Employees fear the team could leverage this data for personal or political gain, undermining the government’s ability to collect federal loans. This has compounded anxiety surrounding the agency’s future role in managing educational finance programs.
Simultaneously, the Education Department is facing internal unrest as staff members are offered deferred resignation packages. This has led to fears of a government-wide purge, similar to the upheaval experienced during Musk’s takeover of Twitter. Employees have voiced concerns about the legality and fairness of these measures, with some describing the situation as a corporate-style restructuring within a federal agency.
As tension rises, the Department of Education has yet to comment on the actions of Musk’s team, and federal employees continue to worry about the potential fallout. While many are anxiously awaiting clarity on the future of their roles, others are already planning for what they see as an inevitable shift in the department’s operations under Musk’s influence.
As the situation continues to unfold, concerns about transparency, data security, and the protection of federal employees’ rights remain at the forefront. The potential for significant changes in the Education Department raises critical questions about the intersection of technology, governance, and privacy.
“He will be looking at education pretty quickly,” Trump said, signaling a potential shake-up at the Education Department under Musk’s direction.
