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| Image: The boston globe |
Elon Musk and his team, tasked by President Donald Trump with downsizing the federal government, have taken control of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and restricted access to data for many senior officials. This has raised concerns about transparency, cybersecurity, and congressional oversight. The new team, consisting of several former Musk employees, has reshuffled leadership, issued memos encouraging employees to leave with compensation, and installed beds at OPM headquarters to work around the clock.
Elon Musk’s Team Takes Control of U.S. HR Agency, Restricts Data Access
In a bold move that has sparked controversy, associates of Elon Musk have assumed key positions within the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal agency overseeing human resources policies for government employees. The move has led to significant restrictions on data access, raising concerns about transparency, cybersecurity, and the future of the federal workforce.
Musk’s Team Tightens Control Over Government HR Systems
According to reports, Musk's associates have locked career civil servants out of critical computer systems containing personal data of federal employees. This sudden restriction has caused alarm among government officials, who fear the implications for national security and operational efficiency.
The move aligns with the broader strategy of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative spearheaded by Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Their goal is to streamline the federal workforce, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, and implement budget cuts. As part of this initiative, they have reportedly encouraged early retirements and promoted buyouts to downsize operations.
High-Profile Resignations and Growing Concerns
The leadership shift at OPM has already led to tensions within government circles. David Lebryk, a senior U.S. Treasury Department official, is set to leave his position following disputes with Musk’s team over access to a financial system that processes over $6 trillion annually. His departure underscores the deepening divide between traditional government operations and the new wave of tech-driven reforms.
Meanwhile, critics argue that these actions may erode the impartiality of the civil service. The implementation of AI-driven employee assessments and loyalty checks has drawn comparisons to authoritarian oversight mechanisms, raising fears of surveillance and political bias within the government workforce.
A Push for Efficiency or a Threat to Government Integrity?
Musk and his allies defend their approach as a necessary measure to modernize the government and eliminate inefficiencies. However, the sweeping changes have ignited debates about the balance between efficiency-driven reforms and preserving the integrity of public institutions.
With federal employees and unions expressing deep concerns, the long-term consequences of Musk’s growing influence in Washington remain uncertain. Whether this shake-up will lead to a more streamlined government or a bureaucratic crisis is yet to be seen.