Democrats Say They're 'Pulling the Fire Alarm' on Trump and Musk [View all]

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Source: Newsweek

Published Feb 03, 2025 at 4:39 PM EST Updated Feb 03, 2025 at 5:57 PM EST


Washington Senator Patty Murray said during a press conference on Monday that she and other top Democrats are "pulling the fire alarm" with Senate procedure after Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reportedly gained access to Treasury Department data.

"We are pulling the fire alarm," Murray said. "It is up to Republicans, who are the majority in Congress who are passing these nominations, who are sitting silently by while Elon Musk goes into departments, into agencies and takes your information. It is up to them to decide whether they want to get out the fire hoses or sit in the fire."

Why It Matters

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force run by Musk, President Donald Trump's billionaire ally, is working to cut wasteful federal spending. DOGE has been granted access to "sensitive Treasury data," including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems, the Associated Press reported. Musk has been working as a "special government employee," a White House Official told the AP. He does not receive a paycheck for his work.

What To Know

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer kicked off the press conference Monday with other top Democrats, calling out the "unelected shadow government" that has been "conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government." "Donald Trump essentially handed DOGE the Social Security data of virtually every American citizen," Schumer said. "Donald Trump gave DOGE access to America's personal refund data. He gave DOGE access to people's Medicare and Medicaid benefits, disability data, veteran benefit data. Worst of all, we don't know what DOGE intends to do with this information." Schumer said that he and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are working together on legislation to "stop unlawful meddling." The Democrats noted that DOGE is not a part of the government and has no authority to "shut programs down or ignore federal law."

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/democrats-say-theyre-pulling-fire-alarm-trump-musk-2025532