Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.

Musk aides lock US agency workers out of systems: Reuters

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Reuters
  • 1 Feb 2025 10:54
3 Min Read

Elon Musk's aides running the US government human resources agency have blocked civil servants from accessing computer systems with the personal data of federal employees, say two officials.

Listen
  • x
  • Musk aides lock US agency workers out of systems: Reuters
    Elon Musk speaks at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, on January 20, 2025. (AP)

Two agency officials say Elon Musk's aides, who oversee the US government’s human resources agency, have blocked career civil servants from accessing computer systems containing the personal data of millions of federal employees.

Since taking office 11 days ago, President Donald Trump has initiated a sweeping government overhaul. He dismissed and sidelined hundreds of civil servants in his efforts to reduce bureaucracy and appoint more loyalists.

Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and owner of X, appointed by Trump to reduce the 2.2 million-strong civilian government workforce, has quickly moved to place allies in key positions at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). 

The two officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation, said that some senior career employees at OPM have had their access to certain department data systems revoked.

The systems include a vast database known as Enterprise Human Resources Integration, which contains sensitive details like birthdates, Social Security numbers, performance appraisals, home addresses, pay grades, and years of service for government employees, the officials said.

One of the officials said, "We have no visibility into what they are doing with the computer and data systems," adding, "That is creating great concern. There is no oversight. It creates real cybersecurity and hacking implications."

According to the report, officials impacted by the change were able to access functions like email but could no longer view the extensive datasets covering all aspects of the federal workforce.  

Related News

Trump eyes ban on Chinese cooking oil amid US soybean self-harm

US-China tariff war strains global economy: Erdogan

Musk, OPM, representatives of the new team, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A Musk takeover 

According to Reuters, a team of current and former employees of Musk took control of the OPM on January 20, the day Trump assumed office.  

The team has moved sofa beds onto the fifth floor of the agency's headquarters, which houses the director's office and can only be accessed with a security badge or escort, one OPM employee reported. The beds were installed so the team could work around the clock.  

Musk, known for installing beds at X to encourage long work hours when he took over in 2022, is bringing similar changes to OPM.  

"It feels like a hostile takeover," the employee said.  

The new appointees at OPM have relocated the agency's chief management officer, Katie Malague, from her office to a new one on a different floor, according to officials. Malague did not respond to a request for comment, according to Reuters. 

These moves by Musk's aides at OPM, along with disruptions reported inside the Treasury building by other Musk associates, highlight the sweeping influence Musk is exerting across the government.

Read next: Trump's Musk appointment puts social media neutrality at risk

  • OPM
  • department of government efficiency
  • DOGE
  • Elon Musk
  • Donald Trump
  • United States

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian detainee al-Arida expresses gratitude to Al Mayadeen.
Politics

Freed Palestinian detainee Mahmoud al-Arida salutes Al Mayadeen

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez gestures as he speaks at the Global Progress Action Summit, in London, Friday, September 26, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Spain to maintain arms embargo on ‘Israel’ despite ceasefire

Israeli excavators work in the Gaza Strip as the sun sets, seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian clans condemn chaos in Gaza, back security forces

The sun sets behind buildings destroyed during the Israeli aggression in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime cuts Gaza aid to 300 trucks, blocks fuel and gas

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS