Musk’s DOGE Eyes the SEC: A Closer Look at the Growing Battle

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) appears poised to take on one of its most significant targets yet—the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to a report by Politico, sources familiar with the situation have indicated that DOGE is “at the gates” of the SEC, signaling an imminent intervention as it continues its sweeping review of federal agencies and their financial inefficiencies.

Musk’s ambitious government watchdog initiative has expanded considerably in recent weeks. More than 30 affiliate pages on X have emerged under the broader DOGE umbrella, with each focusing on different agencies believed to be riddled with financial waste. One such page, DOGE SEC, issued a public call for assistance on February 17, asking users to provide insights into potential waste, fraud, and abuse within the regulatory body. The post encouraged individuals to direct message the account with any relevant findings, reinforcing Musk’s broader vision of crowdsourcing accountability within government institutions.

The tension between Musk and the SEC is far from new. The billionaire entrepreneur has locked horns with the agency on multiple occasions, most recently in a lawsuit accusing him of undercompensating Twitter stock investors by over $150 million. Expressing his frustration, Musk has openly criticized the SEC, calling it a “totally broken organization” and lamenting its focus on cases like his while “so many actual crimes” go unpunished. His ongoing disputes with the regulator have fueled speculation that DOGE’s latest endeavor may not only aim to uncover inefficiencies but also serve as a personal crusade.

However, not everyone views Musk’s expanding influence favorably. Some Democrat lawmakers, including Maxine Waters, have raised serious concerns about DOGE potentially gaining access to confidential SEC data. Chief among their worries is the Consolidated Audit Trail, a comprehensive securities tracking system that logs trading activity across financial markets. According to Politico, critics fear that Musk could exploit this system, describing it as “the single largest treasure trove that he can pillage for his personal gain or vendetta.”

The White House has responded to these concerns, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressing the issue. She emphasized that President Trump had vowed to prevent conflicts of interest and stated that Musk himself has pledged to recuse from decisions where conflicts arise. This assurance, however, has done little to quell the anxieties of those skeptical of Musk’s motivations.

Amid DOGE’s ongoing expansion, the SEC continues to operate under the leadership of Acting Chair Mark Uyeda, pending Senate confirmation of Trump’s nominee, Paul Atkins. This period of transition within the agency has left some wondering whether Musk’s aggressive approach will have a tangible impact on its operations.

DOGE’s scrutiny of federal agencies is not limited to the SEC. In a related development reported by ABC News, a federal judge ruled on February 17 that DOGE could access sensitive student loan records maintained by the Department of Education. Additionally, the Associated Press reported that DOGE is seeking access to a vast collection of taxpayer records held by the Internal Revenue Service, further underscoring Musk’s determination to probe deeply into the financial workings of the federal government.

As DOGE widens its reach, its ability to effect meaningful reform—or serve as a vehicle for Musk’s wider agenda—remains a matter of heated debate. Whether this watchdog initiative will lead to greater transparency or provoke further controversy continues to be watched closely by policymakers and the public alike.