The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is integrating officials from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), signaling a major shift. An internal email confirmed DOGE representatives will be treated as SEC staff with network and data access. This move comes as the agency restructures, losing over 600 employees through voluntary buyouts. Meanwhile, Democratic senators are pushing for a federal review, questioning Musk’s growing role in the agency.
SEC Partners with DOGE Amid Internal Overhaul
An email informed staff that DOGE had made contact. The agency confirmed DOGE officials would gain SEC system access under strict guidelines. The SEC set up a liaison team to oversee collaboration, ensuring compliance with ethics and IT security rules before granting access.
“Our intent is to partner with DOGE representatives and process their requests following normal procedures,” the email stated. It instructed staff to be courteous but avoid sharing substantive information without liaison team approval.
It confirmed the onboarding but declined to comment on Musk’s exact role or DOGE’s data access level. Musk, who has repeatedly clashed with the regulator has not yet responded.
Political Scrutiny and SEC Shake-Up
The agency is undergoing major changes. Over 600 employees, about 12% of its workforce, have opted for voluntary resignation incentives. The agency’s budget comes from financial sector transaction fees, meaning it does not directly impact taxpayers.
Lawmakers are raising concerns. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mark Warner, citing Reuters, urged the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the SEC’s actions. “Efforts to reduce SEC staff or limit its functions could significantly harm investors,” they wrote in a letter to GAO head Gene Dodaro. GAO officials confirmed receipt and are reviewing the request.
Musk’s Complicated SEC History
Elon Musk’s relationship with the SEC has been rocky. In January, the agency sued him for delaying disclosure of his 2022 Twitter (now X) stake. His legal team called it part of a broader harassment campaign. In 2018, it sued him over tweets about taking Tesla private without secured funding, leading to a settlement requiring oversight of his public Tesla-related statements.
Despite past clashes, Musk’s influence is growing. Paul Atkins, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the SEC, told Congress he is open to working with Musk’s DOGE team to streamline regulatory processes. Acting SEC Chairman Mark Uyeda currently oversees the agency, but Musk’s involvement raises questions about future policy shifts.
As DOGE officials integrate into the SEC, industry experts are closely watching for changes. With ongoing restructuring, political opposition, and Musk’s deepening ties, the SEC’s future remains uncertain.
