Musk raiding personal data of fed employees?

[crazyfingers]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-aides-lock-government-workers-out-computer-systems-us-agency-sources-say-2025-01-31/

How can this be legal?

I don't know how it could be legal but who can stop him? Don't count on the justice department.

U.S. Agency for International Development

www.usaid.gov

UMMMMM?

Trump doesn't ever think about "is it legal to...." He thinks "I'll do it and expect to get away with it legal or not"

In the case of USAID, he's cruelly harming so many people around the world and he's making the US hated. He won't stop until the US is a rogue nation like Russia.

 

[Swammerdami]

Something else Musk is trying to do is gain access to the Treasury's Payment System which issues TRILLIONS of dollars in checks and bank transfers.

At first I wondered why he wanted that. Surely he won't stoop to the level of the Trump family and actually steal some of the moolah.

Then a possible explanation struck me. Information is power. The data generated automatically by Xwitter posts is worth billions. The data available when Mush is snooping on the entirety of federal spending -- names, dates, dollar amounts, type of and reason for payment -- must have HUGE value.

Top commentators give a different, worse explanation. Although, as ZiprHead points out

Treasury payment officers just cuts the checks they are instructed to cut. Decisions of to whom and for how much comes from elsewhere.

Musk has inserted himself to change that! Payments to organizations or people accused of DEI or any other thought crime will simply not get the checks they are due.

When I understood this I was suddenly reminded of the poignant sentence in Jack London's novella To Start a Fire when the protagonist suddenly understands that he may not be able to start the fire he needs to cope with his impending frostbite, and that his stupidity has signed his own death warrant.

It took two centuries to turn America into the Great Democracy. Trump and Musk may have killed it in two weeks. Trump's USA will "out-banana" the "Banana" republics.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

The world is outraged at the arrogance of Trump's tariff blackmails. But will the governments of Canada and Mexico refuse to be blackmailed and let their workers endure huge hardship? Either way, expect the BRICS countries to prosper as the world turns against American arrogance and evil. I don't know whether gold, cryptocurrencies, or foreign stock shares are the better investments, but I herewith advise investors to reduce their dollar-based savings.

 

[Derec]

They were thinking about the other SS they rely on.

?

 

[Swammerdami]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-aides-lock-government-workers-out-computer-systems-us-agency-sources-say-2025-01-31/

How can this be legal?

The idea that "legality" is relevant to actions by this fascist regime ignores the current reality.

 

[GenesisNemesis]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-aides-lock-government-workers-out-computer-systems-us-agency-sources-say-2025-01-31/

How can this be legal?

I don't know how it could be legal but who can stop him? Don't count on the justice department.

The law and order party certainly won't.

 

[ZiprHead]

Elon Musk’s 19- to 24-year-old aides take control of $6 trillion in government payments: 'Extraordinarily dangerous,' warns Elizabeth Warren

The world's richest person is leading Trump's federal cost-cutting efforts under the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE).

fortune.com

The staff, reportedly aged between 19 and 24, were also placed at the federal Office of Personnel Management, the HR department for public workers that sent out an email last week offering most employees a chance to leave the government on immediate notice with about nine months’ pay.

Democratic lawmakers have expressed deep concerns about political operators having access to the U.S. government’s money flow, pointing to possible systemic risks to the economy.

Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, blasted the move in a letter to Bessent as “extraordinarily dangerous.”

Yes, let's get a bunch of snot nosed kids who don't know what they hell they are doing and let them take over some of the most secure systems our country has.

 

[Shadowy Man]

Elon Musk’s 19- to 24-year-old aides take control of $6 trillion in government payments: 'Extraordinarily dangerous,' warns Elizabeth Warren

The world's richest person is leading Trump's federal cost-cutting efforts under the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE).

fortune.com

The staff, reportedly aged between 19 and 24, were also placed at the federal Office of Personnel Management, the HR department for public workers that sent out an email last week offering most employees a chance to leave the government on immediate notice with about nine months’ pay.

Democratic lawmakers have expressed deep concerns about political operators having access to the U.S. government’s money flow, pointing to possible systemic risks to the economy.

Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, blasted the move in a letter to Bessent as “extraordinarily dangerous.”

Yes, let's get a bunch of snot nosed kids who don't know what they hell they are doing and let them take over some of the most secure systems our country has.

So, at best, these are college students? SpaceX interns??

Do they have government employment? How did they get that employment? Why is anyone in government even listening to them? Is Bessent a traitor to the Constitution for his actions?

 

[crazyfingers]

Elon Musk’s 19- to 24-year-old aides take control of $6 trillion in government payments: 'Extraordinarily dangerous,' warns Elizabeth Warren

The world's richest person is leading Trump's federal cost-cutting efforts under the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE).

fortune.com

The staff, reportedly aged between 19 and 24, were also placed at the federal Office of Personnel Management, the HR department for public workers that sent out an email last week offering most employees a chance to leave the government on immediate notice with about nine months’ pay.

Democratic lawmakers have expressed deep concerns about political operators having access to the U.S. government’s money flow, pointing to possible systemic risks to the economy.

Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, blasted the move in a letter to Bessent as “extraordinarily dangerous.”

Yes, let's get a bunch of snot nosed kids who don't know what they hell they are doing and let them take over some of the most secure systems our country has.

So, at best, these are college students? SpaceX interns??

Do they have government employment? How did they get that employment? Why is anyone in government even listening to them? Is Bessent a traitor to the Constitution for his actions?

One would think. Musk and these people who are just letting him take control of government functions have to be breaking massive numbers of laws.

 

[Don2 (Don1 Revised)]

I now find myself in the odd position of agreeing with Steve Bannon. On two things:

1. Elon needs to go.
2. I need a stiff drink.

Who is Elon? I mean, he's acting like the second most powerful guy in govt, unelected, not nominated nor confirmed, head of a dept that no law ever made nor was passed by congress, and yet he's demanding people in govt give him access to things with no dept scope defined or lawfully described. Democrats need to start screaming about these violations of the constitution.

 

[crazyfingers]

I now find myself in the odd position of agreeing with Steve Bannon. On two things:

1. Elon needs to go.
2. I need a stiff drink.

Who is Elon? I mean, he's acting like the second most powerful guy in govt, unelected, not nominated nor confirmed, head of a dept that no law ever made nor was passed by congress, and yet he's demanding people in govt give him access to things with no dept scope defined or lawfully described. Democrats need to start screaming about these violations of the constitution.

Congressional Democrats are screaming. Republicans love it. GOP congress will do nothing.

What's left but the courts and Trump will just ignore court orders. So far as I know, the courts have no enforcement mechanism except for the executive branch that's controlled by the Brown Shirts.

If the Dems take congress in 2 years maybe they can try an impeachment.

 

[Toni]

I confess that I am both shocked and dismayed by the rather quiet acquiescence that I am reading here, as though this is no big deal. Frankly, I’ve never been so angry or disgusted in my entire life—which is saying something.

 

[Elixir]

If the Dems take congress in 2 years maybe they can try an impeachment.

How the fuck could anyone expect THAT to come to pass?
It will be a shitshow, if there’s an election at all. No Dem victory will go un-contested, and no court will uphold them. Gerrymandering will run amok.
Barring mass violence that makes GOP legislators shit their pants, I can’t imagine them taking ANY actions that might piss off the apricot.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Elon Musk’s 19- to 24-year-old aides take control of $6 trillion in government payments: 'Extraordinarily dangerous,' warns Elizabeth Warren

The world's richest person is leading Trump's federal cost-cutting efforts under the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE).

fortune.com

The staff, reportedly aged between 19 and 24, were also placed at the federal Office of Personnel Management, the HR department for public workers that sent out an email last week offering most employees a chance to leave the government on immediate notice with about nine months’ pay.

Democratic lawmakers have expressed deep concerns about political operators having access to the U.S. government’s money flow, pointing to possible systemic risks to the economy.

Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, blasted the move in a letter to Bessent as “extraordinarily dangerous.”

Yes, let's get a bunch of snot nosed kids who don't know what they hell they are doing and let them take over some of the most secure systems our country has.

A pic of Musk with his followers.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Who is Elon? I mean, he's acting like the second most powerful guy in govt, unelected, not nominated nor confirmed, head of a dept that no law ever made nor was passed by congress, and yet he's demanding people in govt give him access to things with no dept scope defined or lawfully described. Democrats need to start screaming about these violations of the constitution.

Congressional Democrats are screaming. Republicans love it. GOP congress will do nothing.

What's left but the courts and Trump will just ignore court orders. So far as I know, the courts have no enforcement mechanism except for the executive branch that's controlled by the Brown Shirts.

If the Dems take congress in 2 years maybe they can try an impeachment.

Dude, I adore your optimism!

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I confess that I am both shocked and dismayed by the rather quiet acquiescence that I am reading here, as though this is no big deal. Frankly, I’ve never been so angry or disgusted in my entire life—which is saying something.

I think the issue is, we are all uncertain what the heck any of this actually means. We are in uncharted waters at the moment. The Courts might be able to the right the ship, but the damning thing is that GOP is watching some unprecedented going on, and not a damn word out of them. It isn't like they are so isolated economically that they can afford for Musk to fuck up the global economy.

It is like the Uncle/Aunt are over with their kids, and while they are usually a bit much, today they are playing the knives. And you keep looking at the parents and wondering... 'you gonna say something'? The Democrats can't do anything.

This might all be a big nothing or big failure. We just don't know about what this will become, much like we don't understand how the GOP has completely lost their mind on this. Like it is all part of the plan and they are just going to break it all down.

 

[Ford]

I now find myself in the odd position of agreeing with Steve Bannon. On two things:

1. Elon needs to go.
2. I need a stiff drink.

Who is Elon? I mean, he's acting like the second most powerful guy in govt, unelected, not nominated nor confirmed, head of a dept that no law ever made nor was passed by congress, and yet he's demanding people in govt give him access to things with no dept scope defined or lawfully described. Democrats need to start screaming about these violations of the constitution.

Congressional Democrats are screaming. Republicans love it. GOP congress will do nothing.

What's left but the courts and Trump will just ignore court orders. So far as I know, the courts have no enforcement mechanism except for the executive branch that's controlled by the Brown Shirts.

If the Dems take congress in 2 years maybe they can try an impeachment.

If the Dems keep on their present path Susan Collins could give them an award for expressing "concern" in the most useless way possible. They need to gum up the works and make Republicans pay for every inch of their agenda.

 

[Shadowy Man]

I now find myself in the odd position of agreeing with Steve Bannon. On two things:

1. Elon needs to go.
2. I need a stiff drink.

Who is Elon? I mean, he's acting like the second most powerful guy in govt, unelected, not nominated nor confirmed, head of a dept that no law ever made nor was passed by congress, and yet he's demanding people in govt give him access to things with no dept scope defined or lawfully described. Democrats need to start screaming about these violations of the constitution.

Congressional Democrats are screaming. Republicans love it. GOP congress will do nothing.

What's left but the courts and Trump will just ignore court orders. So far as I know, the courts have no enforcement mechanism except for the executive branch that's controlled by the Brown Shirts.

If the Dems take congress in 2 years maybe they can try an impeachment.

If the Dems keep on their present path Susan Collins could give them an award for expressing "concern" in the most useless way possible. They need to gum up the works and make Republicans pay for every inch of their agenda.

The Congress and even the courts seem to have no ability to stop the executive right now so I don’t know what gumming up the works will really do.

I am very disappointed by the democratic senators who voted to confirm Bessent, and I hope they regret that now that the keys to the treasury have been simply handed over to Musk.

 

[Toni]

What I think is that we will lose democracy if we do not stand up, speak out and demand that laws be followed, that the constitution be upheld. We must demand that our state and federal elected officials adhere to the US constitution. We must challenge the disinformation and realize that Trump thrives on generating outrage as a distraction from his real game which is theft. He does not give a damn about anyone other than himself. Nor does Musk.

 

[crazyfingers]

What I think is that we will lose democracy if we do not stand up, speak out and demand that laws be followed, that the constitution be upheld. We must demand that our state and federal elected officials adhere to the US constitution. We must challenge the disinformation and realize that Trump thrives on generating outrage as a distraction from his real game which is theft. He does not give a damn about anyone other than himself. Nor does Musk.

Thread 'Resisting Trump's Illegal Takeover'

Feb 3, 2025

I confess that I am both shocked and dismayed by the rather quiet acquiescence that I am reading here, as though this is no big deal. Frankly, I’ve never been so angry or disgusted in my entire life—which is saying something.

So Toni expressed this in the other thread and I've been wondering for over a week what can a common individual do? Legal action only please. Please don't suggest anything illegal.

I have written my Senators and Representative in Congress. But frankly in Massachusetts it's not like my Senators and Rep aren't already against trump. Elizabeth Warren has been...

• crazyfingers

 

[ZiprHead]

I confess that I am both shocked and dismayed by the rather quiet acquiescence that I am reading here, as though this is no big deal. Frankly, I’ve never been so angry or disgusted in my entire life—which is saying something.

At least we have a large protest in front of the USAid offices.

Democratic lawmakers protest moves to shutdown USAID

Staffers of the U.S. Agency for International Development have been instructed to stay out of its Washington headquarters, and yellow police tape and officers have blocked the lobby.

apnews.com