Aides to Elon Musk have reportedly locked career civil servants out of computer systems at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which contains the personal data of millions of federal employees. According to two agency officials speaking to Reuters, employees have lost access to key data systems, raising significant concerns about oversight and privacy.
Since President Donald Trump took office just 11 days ago, he has been enacting sweeping changes aimed at overhauling the federal government. This includes the firing and sidelining of hundreds of civil servants—a move seen as part of his broader strategy to cut down the size of the nearly 2.2 million-strong civilian workforce. Musk, the billionaire CEO of X and known for his stringent demands on employees, was tapped by Trump to streamline government operations.
The two officials, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, reported serious access revocations for senior career employees at OPM. They explained, "We have no visibility.into what they are doing with the computer and data systems. That is creating great concern. There is no oversight. It creates real cybersecurity and hacking implications." The systems affected include the Enterprise Human Resources Integration database, which holds sensitive information such as dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and pay grades for government workers.
Although the affected employees still have access to basic functions like email, they can no longer view the extensive datasets necessary for their roles, leading to questions about how efficiently the office can operate under these new restrictions.
Trump's directive to cut OPM's workforce by as much as 70 percent aligns with his commitment to reduce the size and cost of the federal government. Don Moynihan, an expert from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, commented on the unsettling changes: "This makes it much harder for anyone outside Musk's inner circle at OPM to know what's going on." This statement encapsulates the growing anxiety among civil servants about the lack of transparency and oversight.
The memos circulated within OPM have shifted from typical bureaucratic lingo to more encouraging language, imploring civil servants to take buyouts and explore enticing escape routes from federal employment. One such memo offered potential resigning employees the promise of substantial payout opportunities, enticing them with phrases encouraging them to take vacations to "dream destinations." This vague messaging has left many on edge, as employees claim they discover the details of these memos at the same time the public does.
While Musk’s appointees work rapidly to reform the agency from within, unusual living arrangements have emerged at OPM with reports of sofa beds being set up on the fifth floor of the facility. This move is intended so the team can work around the clock to meet Musk's demanding expectations, echoing similar tactics he employed at his Twitter headquarters, where employees were encouraged to log extended hours.
Many are questioning the morality and legality of the working conditions enforced by Musk's aides. The push for staff to work overtime without adequate compensation raises additional ethical concerns, especially as it may violate federal labor laws.
Musk’s influence has not only created turmoil at OPM but also at the Treasury Department, where high-ranking officials are reportedly stepping down after clashes with Musk’s aides over access to sensitive payment systems. Reports indicate the top-ranking career official at Treasury is expected to leave following conflicts with Musk’s team.
The current situation at OPM reveals Musks' increasingly pervasive role within the federal bureaucracy. His aides, composed of software engineers and former employees from his various companies, are assuming control of the primary human resources agency just as Trump’s administration begins. This transition is raising eyebrows about the future of federal governance, particularly for those who depend on transparency and accountability.
Why is this takeover significant? The restructuring of OPM under Musk raises serious questions about the future of federal employment and privacy within government systems. Critics are deeply concerned about the potential repercussions for the workers and the loss of oversight as the agency transitions under Musk's and Trump’s leadership.
Though it remains unclear how extensive this structural overhaul will affect the agency's ability to function or what new policies may emerge, the fear among federal employees is palpable. The move could signify not just changes at OPM but could set trends for governance across various federal bodies.
Careers ending abruptly, access to data nullified, and increasing uncertainty about workplace culture draw attention to the methods employed by Musk's aides as they manage the agency. With the future of OPM hanging precariously, many are watching to see how the Trump administration's vision of efficiency will be actualized and what it means for the civilian workforce moving forward.