What is the purpose of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and how does it relate to accessing HUD data?

DOGE aims to reduce federal spending and modernize government technology. Accessing HUD data is part of its broader effort to review and potentially cut government programs, including those related to housing.

What privacy concerns are raised by DOGE accessing HUD's confidential records?

Accessing HUD's confidential records raises concerns about violating the Privacy Act, particularly for victims of housing discrimination, as it involves sensitive personal information.

How does the proposed 50% workforce reduction at HUD impact civil rights enforcement?

A significant workforce reduction at HUD could impair its ability to enforce civil rights, particularly in housing discrimination cases, by reducing the capacity to investigate and prosecute violations.

What is the current leadership structure of DOGE, and how transparent is it about its actions?

The leadership of DOGE is unclear, with Elon Musk overseeing it but not being its administrator. Despite claims of transparency, DOGE's actions and organizational structure remain somewhat opaque.

11 sources·Politics

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency Accesses HUD Data Amid Privacy Concerns

DOGE gains access to HUD's confidential records, raising privacy fears for housing discrimination victims as Trump administration pushes for drastic budget cuts.

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Trump’s remarks come as his administration and the newly created Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) led by SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk are seeking to dramatically shrink the size of the federal government and workforce.
Trump: Environmental Protection Agency eyeing to cut 65% of its staffers
FOX News·22d
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Several Republican-led states are following President Donald Trump's lead in creating their own versions of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Full list of US states setting up their own "DOGE"
Newsweek·22d
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Yet Trump's first Cabinet meeting outlined the hierarchy in his administration, with many of his Senate-confirmed department heads spending an hour as audience members after the president gave the floor to Musk at the top of the meeting.
Trump and Elon Musk dominate his first Cabinet meeting
NBC News·22d
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The episode is one of many roiling HUD, where the Trump administration is reportedly considering a 50% cut to the nearly 10,000-person workforce.
DOGE Gains Access to Confidential Records on Housing Discrimination, Medical Details — Even Domestic Violence
ProPublica·22d
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The president then went on a wild rant in which he slammed his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, for what Trump believes was wasteful spending.
Trump: 1 Million Federal Employees May Be Fired in DOGE Cuts
MEDIAite·22d
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In some ways, this mystery has been solved, but in other ways it continues.
White House Finally Reveals Who Is (Kind of) Running DOGE
New York Magazine·22d
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Now seems like a good time for the political world to reassess the use of the word “moderate” when it comes to congressional Republicans.
House Republicans advance far-right budget, but the drama is just getting started
MSNBC·22d
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House Republicans overcame internal divides yesterday to pass a framework for a multitrillion-dollar plan to address defense, energy, immigration and tax policy in a push to advance President Trump's domestic policy agenda.
The House passed a budget resolution. What's next? And, a tactic to decrease bird flu
NPR·22d
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This is really the beginning of a long road for Speaker Johnson to drive this through.
Trump Tax Cut Chances Rise as House Passes Budget
Bloomberg·22d
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Musk is set to attend Trump's Cabinet meeting later in the day on Wednesday, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who made the announcement during her press briefing on Tuesday.
Trump: Entire Cabinet 'Extremely Happy' With Musk
Newsmax·22d
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Feb 26th, 2025, 12:39 PM ET

Summary

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Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained access to the HUD Enforcement Management System, which contains sensitive personal information, raising significant privacy concerns. This move follows DOGE's attempts to access personal taxpayer data and other confidential government documents. Meanwhile, President Trump's administration confronts internal pushback regarding massive budget cuts, proposing a 50% workforce reduction at HUD that could impact civil rights enforcement. Advocates warn this could violate the Privacy Act and endanger housing discrimination victims. The situation's complexity is exacerbated by ongoing questions about DOGE's leadership, despite claims of transparency from the White House.

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House Republicans passed a budget resolution that includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending cuts, but details on the cuts remain vague and are a concern for many members.
The narrow passage of the budget reflects deep divisions within the Republican Party, with some members anxious about the impact on constituents reliant on government programs like Medicaid.
The Senate will likely push for major changes to the budget, creating uncertainties about its final form as fiscally conservative members express concerns about increasing the deficit.

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