'Like a cyberattack': Musk cuts off bureaucrats' access to systems
It has been reported that senior bureaucrats working in the U.S. federal government have been barred from accessing computer systems by Musk's aides.
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Donald Trump noted that the state would be downsized following his inauguration as U.S. President. Elon Musk, who was appointed to head the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was alleged to be the person responsible for the 'downsizing mission.' According to reports that emerged today (February 1), Musk's aides have imposed restrictions on the computers of senior bureaucrats. Bureaucrats are unable to use systems that are 'critically important' for performing their jobs.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of X, has taken on the task of managing the layoff process for approximately 2 million 200 thousand civil servants. It is alleged that the famous billionaire has 'placed aides' in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which handles the management of government employees, in order to handle this task. According to the allegations, Musk established a new team last week at the Office, where he has no formal connection or authority.
The OPM was responsible for managing federal civil servants in the U.S. The OPM managed processes such as the hiring, firing, and retirement of government employees. The agency also organized social benefits and additional employee support received by government workers.
Speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, two officials stated that some senior bureaucrats at the OPM had their access to the department's data systems revoked.
Reports reflected in the U.S. press last week claimed that Trump was 'encouraging' civil servants to resign in order to accelerate layoffs. The new administration offered employees 6 months of paid leave in exchange for their resignation.
'THERE IS NO OVERSIGHT'
The officials also stated that the inaccessible systems included a vast database called the Enterprise Human Resources Integration, which contains public employees' dates of birth, social security numbers, performance evaluations, home addresses, salary grades, and lengths of service.
One of the officials stated the following:
''We have no idea what they are doing with the computer and data systems. This creates a major concern. There is no oversight. (Blocking access) left an effect like a real cyberattack and hacking.''
Bureaucrats can still log into the system and access functions such as email. However, they cannot access the data of millions of federal employees.
Musk, the OPM, and the White House have not yet made a statement regarding the matter.
It was also noted that the new team hired at the OPM at Musk's request has been sending memos that avoid the dry language of normal government correspondence, in an effort to encourage employees to resign and go to their 'dream vacation spots.'
Trump claims that the U.S. government employs an unnecessarily large number of people. According to the U.S. President, millions of civil servants create an 'unnecessary' burden on the state.