Democratic leaders are calling for investigations into the Department of Government Efficiency, previously overseen by Elon Musk, following midterm victories and concerns over the department’s handling of sensitive information.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., has expressed confidence that at least one congressional committee will investigate the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was previously led by Elon Musk. Raskin described Musk’s cost-cutting efforts at DOGE as a “catastrophe” for the nation.
“I had no specific plan,” Raskin told Fox News Digital regarding the potential investigations. “Look…DOGE was a catastrophe for America, and at least one committee, I feel pretty certain, will investigate it. It needs to investigate it.”
As Democrats rally to scrutinize corruption from the Trump administration following their midterm successes, Musk has emerged as a potential target for oversight. Some lawmakers are calling for a closer examination of his tenure at DOGE.
Musk played a pivotal role in launching DOGE at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, with the aim of eliminating waste and enhancing transparency in federal spending. The department’s initiatives included deferred resignations and employee buyouts, leading to a significant reduction in the federal workforce, which contracted by approximately 250,000 employees during 2025, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Concerns surrounding DOGE have intensified due to allegations that the department had access to sensitive information about American citizens. Raskin emphasized the gravity of these issues, stating, “I mean the whole thing was premised on a lie, and our private information was completely compromised by it.”
Governor JB Pritzker, D-Ill., while acknowledging the need for an investigation into DOGE, expressed uncertainty about focusing on Musk himself. “I think there should be a lot of inspection of what DOGE did,” Pritzker said. “I think that was pretty awful.” However, he added, “I don’t know about focusing on one person” when asked about investigating Musk.
Democratic lawmakers are also considering examining Musk’s multibillion-dollar contracts with the federal government and his recent actions regarding internet access for the Ukrainian military.
Following a decisive blue wave in the midterm elections, Democrats in both chambers of Congress have committed to leveraging investigative committees and subpoena powers to probe not only Musk but also Trump and his administration, including potential impeachment efforts against the former president.
According to Fox News Digital, the discussions surrounding these investigations reflect a broader strategy among Democrats to hold accountable those perceived to have mismanaged government resources and compromised public trust.