Ethics Watchdog Flags Potential Conflicts and Records Violations at Musk's DOGE Agency
Ethics Watchdog Flags Potential Conflicts and Records Violations at Musk's DOGE Agency.
American Oversight has expressed apprehensions regarding the 'Department of Government Efficiency' utilizing encrypted applications.
A prominent ethics watchdog has raised concerns regarding Elon Musk, a billionaire associate of Donald Trump, as well as the proposed "Department of Government Efficiency" (Doge), which Trump has indicated he intends to establish. The watchdog asserts that the use of encrypted messaging applications by this agency may infringe upon the Federal Records Act (FRA).
American Oversight, an organization dedicated to utilizing legal action to secure public records and reveal governmental misconduct, contends that Musk's role in Doge presents "significant ethical issues related to potential conflicts of interest," particularly in light of his extensive business interests and the considerable influence that Doge could exert on federal agencies.
The alerts arise from reports indicating that members of Doge, an organization focused on implementing significant reductions in the US government, are utilizing the encrypted messaging application Signal, which features an auto-delete function. This practice may impede the retention of official records.
On Wednesday, the oversight body dispatched letters to Musk, Doge, the “US DOGE Service” (previously known as the United States Digital Service), as well as to the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, along with the Office of Management and Budget.
American Oversight also informed the National Archives and Records Administration, urging the archivist to pursue legal measures through the attorney general should any records be unlawfully removed or destroyed.
American Oversight contends that all written communications pertaining to Doge's activities, both prior to and following Trump’s inauguration on Monday, qualify as federal records that must be preserved. The Federal Records Act mandates that agencies maintain federal government records that document their activities, decisions, and policies.
Chioma Chukwu, the group’s interim executive director, stated: “Efforts are clearly underway to conceal information that would expose the Trump administration’s plans to gut critical services that benefit the American people, and Doge – led by unelected billionaires poised to benefit from their self-serving machinations – is no exception.”
She added: “Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable. That is why we have put the administration on notice: comply with your obligation to preserve all Doge-related records, or defend that secrecy in court.”
The organization has a track record of litigating against the Trump administration for failing to adhere to transparency regulations regarding records. This includes documents that reveal Rudy Giuliani’s communications related to Ukraine, copies of fraudulent electoral vote certificates from 2020, and records that disclose preventable fatalities of immigrants in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Recently, it has initiated lawsuits concerning Trump appointees Matt Gaetz and Kash Patel.
Doge has set forth ambitious objectives aimed at dismantling entire federal agencies and reducing federal government employment by three-quarters. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate, served as a co-chair but has since departed to reportedly pursue a gubernatorial run in Ohio.
An executive order issued by the White House late on Monday outlined the group’s intention to “modernize federal technology and software.” Trump informed the press that there are plans to recruit approximately 20 individuals to facilitate the achievement of the group’s goals.
However, despite its designation, the committee is not an official department and possesses limited authority to implement any reorganization, much less the extensive reductions proposed by Musk and Ramaswamy.
In response to the announcement, government employee unions, oversight organizations, and public interest groups filed lawsuits almost immediately. Additionally, another watchdog organization, Public Citizen, is challenging Doge’s ambiguous legal status, alongside a union representing government employees.
Despite the controversies surrounding Doge, its proponents argue that the initiative has the potential to drive meaningful improvements in government efficiency and innovation. Advocates emphasize the importance of leveraging modern technology and private-sector expertise to streamline processes, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, and better serve the American people.
With proper oversight and adherence to transparency laws, Doge could represent an opportunity to rethink and modernize federal operations. Ensuring accountability and collaboration with diverse stakeholders will be critical to achieving these goals while maintaining public trust. By fostering open dialogue and prioritizing ethical governance, Doge could pave the way for constructive reform.
