Musk's DOGE Seeks Access to Highly Sensitive IRS Data System

What Happened?

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reportedly seeking access to the Internal Revenue Service’s sensitive taxpayer data system.

DOGE, co-led by billionaire Elon Musk, has made previous attempts to access data viewed as sensitive that was blocked by government personnel and a judge.

If these new measures are granted, DOGE would reportedly have access to millions of tightly controlled files that include bank records and taxpayer information.

That access involves the IRS’ Integrated Data Retrieval System, which enables employees 'to have instantaneous visual access to certain taxpayer accounts.'

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) criticized Musk in a post on social media after DOGE started accounts on X for the IRS and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

'I want to save billions of your money and make our government more efficient. Rummaging through your personal s‑‑‑ is not that. A party of chaos loses—always,' Fetterman stated.

Other political leaders have issued their concerns amid the potential unlawful release of taxpayer records.

The move could not only violate privacy but create other ramifications for Americans.

'No executive order requiring agency heads to provide DOGE personnel access to IRS records or information technology systems supersedes the federal tax code,' Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote Monday to acting IRS Commissioner Douglas O’Donnell.

Why it Matters

DOGE and the Trump administration have continued their aims to significantly downsize the federal workforce overall.

As many as 200,000 federal employees are faced with mass layoffs after the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reportedly instructed workplace leaders to move forward to terminate thousands of probationary workers.

The looming terminations reportedly include different government sectors such as the Department of Education, U.S. Forest Service, Small Business Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The IRS also plans to lay off thousands of probationary workers in the middle of tax season as part of this effort.

Trump's newly signed executive order aims to empower Musk’s DOGE team to carry out these planned mandates to reduce the nation's debt deficit.

Federal departments will have limited ability to hire more staffers without DOGE being coordinated for future hiring plans.

Musk's role in reshaping the federal government has not come without its quick legal challenges.

Pending lawsuits were filed in response to several actions by the Trump administration, including the shutdown of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The Trump administration previously announced eight-month buyout offers to all federal employees who opt to leave their jobs.

About 75,000 federal workers, roughly 3.3% of the workforce, reportedly accepted the buyouts.

How it Affects You

DOGE has claimed it's saving the federal government nearly $1 billion per day by taking these actions so far.

President Trump's actions mark an unprecedented time.

Legal challenges begin to pile up that argue the constitutionality of his recent moves.

House and Senate leaders will soon prepare to vote on key measures as pressure continues to build along Capitol Hill.