Ossoff challenges Elon Musk’s access to veterans’ records
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is questioning Elon Musk’s access to veterans’ private information as the billionaire sifts through the government to try to slash costs through President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Ossoff, ranking member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, led a group of senators pressing Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to protect veterans, their families and VA staff from access to sensitive information.
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Ossoff, D-Ga., is ed by Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and fellow subcommittee Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I.; Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.; and Gary Peters, D-Mich.
According to a recent report by Military.com, “DOGE” employees had accessed VA computer systems at the Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
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“We understand that personnel reporting to Mr. Musk have recently visited VA facilities,” Ossoff and the group wrote to Collins. “Senators, veterans, and of the public have serious concerns regarding Mr. Musk’s extraordinary and unprecedented activities and the lack of transparency surrounding them, including his potential access to and handling of sensitive or personal information.”
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“Accordingly, we seek specific information regarding VA’s engagement with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency,” they continued.
Ossoff and the group requested a list of “DOGE” personnel who have visited VA facilities, the systems they accessed, and whether veteran data — including medical and service records — may have been viewed, copied, or transferred. The group also requested that Collins reveal the nature of the agreement under which “DOGE” personnel are governed in their engagement with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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