Could you clarify what you mean by "DOGE's takeover of the Education Department"? Are you referring to a real event, a satirical piece, or something related to cryptocurrency? I'd be happy to rewrite it once I understand the context!

 Department of Education staffers are concerned that the Department of Government Efficiency is accessing sensitive information and causing confusion.

Feb. 8, 2025, 5:00 PM GMT+6

Members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team have acquired "administrator" email accounts at the Department of Education, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s announcement that Musk will soon conduct a thorough review of the agency.

The swift placement of Musk’s aides across multiple federal agencies has raised alarms among government officials, lawmakers, and watchdog groups. Concerns have been voiced that Musk's team may have access to sensitive data and is orchestrating a purge of government employees.

When questioned by NBC News at a White House press conference on Friday about allegations that Musk and DOGE’s widespread staff reductions might be unlawful, Trump defended the approach, emphasizing that the Education Department was a key target for Musk’s review. “He will be looking at education pretty quickly,” Trump stated.

NBC News confirmed that Akash Bobba and Ethan Shaotran, both 22 years old and identified as DOGE members, possess administrator-level access to the department’s email system, potentially granting them entry to sensitive information. Two department employees reported that Shaotran accessed the backend of the ed.gov website on Friday. Three other employees highlighted that it is highly unusual for personnel from external agencies to obtain ed.gov email accounts. The Department of Education declined to comment on the matter.

Tension within the department has escalated, particularly after leadership announced that employees opting for the deferred resignation package—offered to much of the federal workforce—would forfeit their right to sue if the government fails to uphold the agreement. The employee union has strongly advised against taking the package, drawing parallels to Musk’s takeover of Twitter, where workers did not receive expected severance payments.

A long-serving Department of Education employee, speaking anonymously, described an atmosphere of deep concern among career staff as DOGE advances its initiatives. The employee particularly feared that Musk and his team could exploit the national student loan database to target individuals, force out career employees, and hinder the government’s ability to collect on federal loans.

The New York Times reported that up to 16 DOGE members are now listed in the Education Department directory, while The Washington Post revealed that sensitive personal and financial data from the department has been fed into artificial intelligence software by DOGE-affiliated individuals.

On Friday morning, a group of House Democrats attempted to enter the Education Department headquarters to meet with Acting Education Secretary Denise Carter after 95 representatives signed a letter expressing concerns about potential plans to dismantle the department. However, security denied them entry, sparking a chaotic scene as lawmakers demanded access. “They are blocking members of Congress from entering the Department of Education! Elon is allowed in and not the people? ILLEGAL,” Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Also on Friday, watchdog group Public Citizen sued the Department of Education on behalf of the University of California Student Association, seeking an injunction to block DOGE staff from accessing "sensitive personal and financial information." The lawsuit cited reports that DOGE-affiliated personnel had accessed internal federal student aid systems. “The scale of the intrusion into individuals’ privacy is enormous and unprecedented,” the lawsuit stated, emphasizing that the department's systems contain data on over 42 million individuals.

Adding to the turmoil, a new department-wide memo called for a sweeping review of all grants linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The memo, obtained by NBC News, outlined efforts to eliminate “discriminatory practices” that contradict department policies. While it is standard for new administrations to set priorities for federal grant allocations, a former senior education official warned that reopening already awarded grants could invite significant legal challenges and disrupt communities relying on funding for essential services such as teacher salaries and tutoring programs.

Officials within the department remain uncertain about how the administration defines DEI, with some questioning whether the policy could impact programs for students with disabilities or those learning English as a second language. “I don’t know how you eliminate DEI without attacking special needs programs,” a current administration official noted.

Madison Biedermann, a spokeswoman for the Education Department, clarified that the review aims to ensure compliance with civil rights laws and prevent grant programs from supporting discriminatory practices. “The Department manages important grant programs that Congress has established to support schools that serve specific populations and will carefully review them to align with administration priorities while ensuring they continue serving their intended communities,” Biedermann stated.

The pace of these changes has outstripped the confirmation process for department leadership. Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary, is scheduled for a Senate confirmation hearing on February 13. McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, currently chairs the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned think tank where four top Education Department appointees previously worked.

A military veteran working within the department described widespread confusion and demoralization, as Trump and Musk portray federal employees as unproductive. While some employees are considering retirement, others remain steadfast in their positions. “There are people who are panicking. But there are also people who refuse to give in to pressure and intimidation. That’s all this really is,” the veteran stated.

Since Trump’s inauguration, the department has already undergone significant shifts in priorities. Earlier this week, it announced new Title IX investigations into two universities and one athletic association for allegedly violating the administration’s executive order banning transgender women’s participation in sports. The department has also opened an inquiry into Denver Public Schools for converting a girls' restroom into a gender-neutral facility and has reverted to enforcing Trump-era Title IX regulations while rescinding Biden-era rules. Additionally, it canceled 11 investigations into school districts over book bans, dismissing complaints that the bans targeted works by LGBTQ authors and writers of color as a “hoax.”

Further cementing the administration’s approach, department staff received a directive this week prohibiting “extraneous information” in email signature blocks, including gender pronouns, motivational quotes, and GIFs. The email was marked "high importance."