Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been accused of bypassing congressional oversight and violating cybersecurity protocols in its effort to streamline federal agencies. The executive order, signed by President Donald Trump, grants DOGE unprecedented access to systems holding sensitive data, raising major constitutional questions.
Critics argue that granting a private entity with no formal authority the power to roam freely through government networks is an unprecedented breach of standard security protocols. This could spark a constitutional crisis if the President’s actions are deemed unlawful by courts.
DOGE’s alleged activities mirror those of nation-state actors, which would likely trigger sanctions and public denouncements in such cases. The White House’s implicit blessing of DOGE raises questions about the application of cybercrime laws to private entities.
The saga highlights a clash between government efficiency, security, and constitutional authority. As one expert noted, “Closing the barn door after the horse has already escaped” is now challenging task as the genie of unchecked executive power has been unleashed in the digital age.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonybradley/2025/02/04/doge-is-a-cybersecurity-crisis-unfolding-in-real-time