WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leading Democrats on the House Science Committee have voiced serious concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its involvement with NASA, calling the agency’s lack of transparency “ominous and unacceptable.”
In a letter sent on February 21 to NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro, the lawmakers demanded clear answers regarding DOGE’s activities, its access to sensitive information, and the potential for conflicts of interest involving Elon Musk, who leads DOGE while also serving as CEO of SpaceX.
Why Are Lawmakers Concerned About DOGE at NASA?
The letter, signed by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.), and Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio), follows an unsatisfactory response from NASA regarding DOGE’s role at the agency. Lawmakers are particularly alarmed about:
- Access to classified or proprietary information: DOGE’s involvement could potentially expose sensitive national security data or proprietary technological developments.
- Lack of transparency: NASA’s vague explanations have raised suspicions about how much control DOGE has over the agency’s internal operations.
- Potential conflicts of interest: Musk’s dual roles as DOGE leader and SpaceX CEO could allow unfair advantages in NASA’s procurement processes or policymaking.
“The lack of transparency surrounding DOGE’s presence and activities within NASA is ominous and unacceptable,” the letter states.
Who Is the “DOGE Agent” Inside NASA?
A previous letter sent by lawmakers requested clear answers on whether DOGE had gained access to sensitive data and what safeguards were in place to prevent data misuse. In response, NASA’s acting associate administrator, Marc Hone, confirmed:
- DOGE had assigned an individual to work within NASA.
- The unnamed person would have necessary access to NASA’s resources, complying with federal laws and IT security protocols.
However, NASA did not disclose the individual’s identity, responsibilities, or the scope of their authority within the agency, leaving key questions unanswered. Lawmakers are especially concerned about whether this person was embedded without NASA’s input, potentially undermining the agency’s autonomy.
“If true, DOGE’s power to embed a senior official at NASA without the agency’s input makes the Committee’s oversight of this individual all the more vital,” the letter added.
Elon Musk’s Conflict of Interest: SpaceX vs. NASA
One of the most pressing issues is Musk’s leadership role in both DOGE and SpaceX, a major NASA contractor. This dual role raises several red flags:
- Unfair advantage: Musk could influence contract decisions or gain access to sensitive competitor information through DOGE’s presence at NASA.
- Procurement interference: There’s concern that DOGE could influence NASA’s procurement processes, potentially favoring SpaceX’s bids for future projects.
NASA claims that its conflict-of-interest policies are being enforced, but lawmakers argue that the agency has not adequately explained how it plans to mitigate Musk’s influence.
Lawmakers’ Demands: 11 Questions for NASA
In their follow-up letter, the lawmakers submitted 11 specific questions for NASA to answer by March 7. The questions focus on:
- The identity of the DOGE representative embedded within NASA.
- The nature of their access to classified and proprietary information.
- Any safeguards in place to prevent conflicts of interest involving Elon Musk and SpaceX.
- Clarification on whether DOGE’s influence extends to NASA’s procurement decisions or policy development.
What Has DOGE Done at NASA So Far?
Despite the secrecy surrounding DOGE’s full role at NASA, some publicly available data shows the following:
- Canceled contracts: DOGE’s official website lists only one NASA-related cancellation so far—a $10,600 subscription to Politico Pro news service, which resulted in $0 in savings.
- Reviewing contracts: A February memo from Acting Administrator Janet Petro stated that DOGE would begin reviewing NASA contracts to identify potential areas for cost-cutting.
However, lawmakers are concerned that DOGE’s influence could expand beyond basic financial reviews, potentially disrupting NASA’s operations or influencing its strategic goals.
NASA Workforce Changes Amid DOGE Scrutiny
Amid DOGE’s increasing influence, NASA has also faced internal workforce changes:
- No sweeping layoffs: Anticipated firings of probationary civil servants at NASA did not materialize by the expected deadline of February 18.
- Voluntary buyouts: Around 5% of NASA employees (approximately 900 people) accepted a Deferred Resignation Program buyout, allowing them to resign now while receiving pay through the end of the fiscal year.
- Administrative leave: Many of those who took the buyout will begin administrative leave this week.
NASA clarified that any future dismissals will be performance-based and will align with agency policy rather than sweeping cuts initiated by DOGE.
What’s Next? Transparency or Turmoil?
With mounting pressure from Congress, NASA has until March 7 to answer lawmakers’ concerns about DOGE’s presence and authority within the agency. The outcome of this inquiry could determine:
- Whether DOGE continues its involvement with NASA’s internal operations.
- How NASA handles potential conflicts of interest involving Elon Musk and SpaceX.
- The future relationship between the House Science Committee and NASA’s leadership amid growing scrutiny.
As DOGE’s influence expands across federal agencies, concerns over privacy, transparency, and conflicts of interest are likely to remain at the forefront of political debates in the months ahead.
