As Musk and his colleagues try to take over many government systems, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed her opposition to billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Thursday, stating that she is examining her legal options and will act soon.
After DOGE officials demanded access to computer systems at the U.S. Agency for International Development’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., last weekend, Musk was able to access the U.S. Department of Treasury’s payment system last week.
Since then, the Alliance for Retired Americans, the American Federation of Government Employees, and the Service Employees International Union have filed lawsuits against Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for granting Musk access to the payment system, which manages trillions of dollars in payments, such as social security, income taxes, and veterans’ compensation.
In addition to being a blatant betrayal of the public’s confidence, giving access to some of the most private and sensitive information about Americans to appointees who lack the necessary qualifications, clearance, or justification is also an affront to each and every American’s fundamental rights. According to Nessel, it is illegal, intolerable, and unsustainable.
It is unlawful and uncommon for unauthorized people to have this much access under the pretense of advancement. According to Nessel, DOGE lacks the right to access this data, which starts vital payments that fund daycare, health care, and other vital programs that millions of Americans depend on.
Since only Congress has the power to create new executive branch agencies, the Department of federal Efficiency is not an actual federal agency. President Donald Trump established DOGE by executive order with the goal of updating Federal software and technology to increase government productivity and efficiency.
Budget policy specialists expressed doubt when Musk promised to save trillions of dollars in federal spending while campaigning for Trump.
The White House claims that Musk’s team has the required security clearances and has designated Musk as a special federal employee.
In a prior email to the Michigan Advance, Nessel spokesperson Danny Wimmer stated: The Department is receiving a lot of concerns regarding this data and privacy development. We’re still learning as much as we can about this issue and will keep evaluating our options for protecting the privacy and integrity of these government databases.
Nessel indicated Thursday that she is examining the options available and intends to move quickly in support of the Constitution, the right to privacy, and vital funds that people and communities around the country rely on.
Meanwhile, U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) and Sean Casten (D-Ill.), together with a number of other House Democrats, introduced a bill that would prevent Musk from accessing private information and prevent unauthorized people from using the payment systems of the U.S. Department of Treasury.
In an effort to prevent Musk from taking over federal agencies, freshman Representative Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) has taken a more direct stance. She introduced the Stop Musk Act, which shields federal employees from reprisals for opposing, avoiding, or stopping Elon Musk or those under his supervision from engaging in illegal or unconstitutional activities involving federal agencies. Dexter has conceded, though, that the bill has very little prospect of passing the Republican-controlled House.
Scholten presents a measure to expose DOGE and Musk to FOIA regulations.
Two workers of the U.S. Agency for International Development were put on administrative leave for denying DOGE representatives access to the department’s systems, according to a CNN story.
Additionally, legislation to subject DOGE and other temporary government agencies to the federal Freedom of Information Act has been submitted by U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids).
Samuel Bagenstos, the Frank G. Millard Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, stated in an interview with the Michigan Advance this week that Musk is the top federal concern since his position is unregulated, which poses a serious cybersecurity risk.
“It also creates an opportunity for incredible abuse of power to turn on and turn off funding at the whim of an individual in violation of laws passed by Congress, so that’s hugely concerning,” said Bagenstos, who was general counsel to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Biden administration and principal deputy assistant attorney general for civil rights in the U.S. Department of Justice during the Obama administration.
A major aspect of the Musk issue is that when someone like Elon Musk controls the payment system that enables him to seize money, he can refuse to spend money that Congress has mandated be spent. However, he can do so covertly, evading accountability and public checks on abuse of power, which is a recurring theme, Bagenstos said.
This story was written by Jon King, a senior reporter with the Michigan Advance.
OUR WORK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY YOU.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.