David Edwards
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is purportedly the target of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, as part of a larger effort to cut down on government waste.
Politico reported on February 17 that Musk’s DOGE plan is anticipated to reach the SEC in the next few days. “They are at the gates,” said a person with knowledge of the situation.
In an effort to reach more government entities, DOGE has added more than 30 affiliate pages on X. On February 17, DOGE SEC, one of these affiliates, released a public call to action asking people to report incidents of SEC-related fraud, waste, and abuse.
Musk and the SEC have had several run-ins. He was accused by the agency in a recent lawsuit of underpaying investors in Twitter stock by more than $150 million. In retaliation, Musk referred to the SEC as a “totally broken organization” that prioritizes little violations above serious financial crimes
Political Issues and Claims of Conflict of Interest
Maxine Waters and other Democratic lawmakers have expressed alarm about Musk’s possible access to private SEC information. The Consolidated Audit Trail, a vast trading surveillance system, is a major worry. Critics claim it might turn into a “treasure trove” for Musk’s revenge or personal benefit.
President Donald Trump has pledged to avoid conflicts of interest, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in response to these worries. According to reports, Musk has also promised to stay out of any connected affairs.
DOGE’s Growing Access to Government Information
In addition to the SEC, DOGE has been aggressively seeking access to a number of government documents. According to ABC News, a federal judge decided on February 17 that DOGE may access private student loan data that was under the Department of Education’s control. According to the Associated Press, the department is also requesting access to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) taxpayer data.
Acting Chair Mark Uyeda is currently in charge of the SEC, while Paul Atkins, Trump’s choice, is awaiting confirmation.
