Elon Musk's 'DOGE' team granted access to SEC systems
Elon Musk’s DOGE team gains access to SEC
Elon Musk’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has set its sights on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), raising questions about the role of private influence in federal oversight.
According to a March 28 Reuters report, Musk’s DOGE team has been granted access to SEC systems and data, with the agency preparing a liaison team to coordinate with the group.
DOGE, which is not an official federal agency despite its bureaucratic name, was formed after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January authorizing the initiative to implement cost-cutting reforms across U.S. government institutions. The order framed DOGE’s mission as “saving taxpayers money,” though its actions have already sparked legal challenges.
Access raises transparency and legality concerns
Internal communications from the SEC, as cited by Reuters, indicate that DOGE will be subject to normal federal protocols, including ethics vetting, IT security clearance, and proof of “need to know” before accessing sensitive systems. “Our intent will be to partner with the DOGE representatives and cooperate with their request following normal processes,” the email to SEC staff reportedly said.
Still, the arrangement has drawn scrutiny due to DOGE’s informal status and Musk’s expansive influence in both tech and politics. The team’s previous actions—such as attempts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)—have been met with lawsuits arguing the measures are unlawful and undermine institutional safeguards.
A wider agenda for federal oversight reform
The SEC move signals an escalation in DOGE’s efforts to reshape how U.S. regulatory bodies operate. With access to one of the country’s most powerful financial regulators, Musk’s team could play a role in reshaping enforcement priorities, potentially impacting crypto markets and corporate oversight.
As legal battles mount and transparency advocates raise alarms, DOGE’s involvement with the SEC may be a litmus test for how far executive-backed private initiatives can go in reforming—or disrupting—federal oversight systems.
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