Elon Musk’s DOGE Staffer Linked to Racist Tweets Given Access to Sensitive Data
TL/DR –
Marko Elez, an employee of the Department of Labor (DoL) detailed to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the White House, resigned over resurfaced racist tweets and violating data-sharing rules, but was then rehired to work with sensitive data across several federal agencies. DOGE, an Elon Musk-led initiative, has been found to likely be breaking the law and unable to explain why it needs such vast data access. Federal judges have ordered more discovery into DOGE operations, which include employees with high levels of access to crucial data like social security information, Medicare and Medicaid payment databases, and more.
DOGE Staffer Evades Resignation To Access Sensitive Government Data
Marko Elez, a Department of Labor employee and former DOGE staffer, has been rehired after resigning over racist tweets and data-sharing violations according to a recent court filing. This raises concerns as Elez now works with sensitive data across several federal agencies.
Federal judges have previously found the Elon Musk-led DOGE breaking the law with its extensive data access, as reported by NPR.
These revelations come in response to a lawsuit by labor unions seeking information on Trump administration staffers as part of DOGE. U.S. District Judge John Bates has permitted DOGE’s work in specific agencies but ordered further discovery into its operations.
From Resignation to Greater Access
Elez resigned from the Treasury in early February following resurfaced racist posts, but was swiftly rehired by Musk. Despite a previous internal audit highlighting Elez’s improper sharing of sensitive data, he was granted access to secure Labor Department databases four days later.
Elez’s new role allows him access to various HHS systems, including databases for Medicare and Medicaid payments. HHS later disabled his access to these payment databases.
In-depth Insights into DOGE’s Data Access
Recent filings offer detailed insights into the data access levels of DOGE employees. NPR previously reported that DOGE staffer Akash Bobba is among the few who have top-level access to Social Security Administration data.
New information from the filings outlines the access of other DOGE employees. Luke Farritor has administrator privileges to various HHS systems, while Edward Coristine from GSA, detailed to HHS, and Amy Gleason, DOGE’s current acting administrator, have been granted access to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services payment data.
At the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the DOGE team includes Jordan Wick, Christopher Young, Nikhil Rajpal, and Farritor. The team has not improperly handled the data they have access to, according to the filings.
Following a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson, the Trump administration was blocked from dismantling the CFPB office, one of DOGE’s access points.
Contact the authors through encrypted communication on Signal if you have information on DOGE’s access to government databases. Reach out to Stephen Fowler at stphnfwlr.25 or Jenna McLaughlin at JennaMcLaughlin.54.
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