The article reports that two individuals associated with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have gained access to classified networks containing sensitive information about U.S. nuclear weapons, according to sources. Luke Farritor, a former SpaceX intern, and Adam Ramada, a venture capitalist, have reportedly been using the computer systems for at least two weeks, despite lacking prior experience with nuclear weapons or handling classified data.
A spokesperson for the Department of Energy denied these claims, stating that no DOGE personnel have accessed National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) systems and that Farritor and Ramada left the Department of Energy in February.
The sources, who remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the matter, confirmed seeing the names of Ramada and Farritor in network directories, which are accessible to numerous employees involved in nuclear weapons work. However, actual access to the classified information within these networks is restricted and controlled based on necessity, as confirmed by experts consulted by NPR.
Earlier reports indicated that DOGE employees, including Farritor, were seeking access to secretive systems, but Energy Secretary Chris Wright assured that such access would not be granted, as the employees do not possess the necessary security clearances.
The networks in question are utilized by the NNSA and the Department of Defense to handle sensitive data regarding nuclear weapons designs and materials. Access to these networks typically requires a “Q” clearance, the highest level of security clearance at the Department of Energy.
Although the source of the accounts remains unclear, experts note that the presence of DOGE personnel on classified systems could indicate an escalation in DOGE’s privileges. However, these accounts do not grant unrestricted access to files.
The report mentions that DOGE staffers might require access to classified data for budgetary and program discussions, as noted by Hans Kristensen, director at the Federation of American Scientists. Nevertheless, much of the nuclear weapons budget remains unclassified.
Amidst growing concerns over DOGE’s data handling across different government agencies, this news follows reports about a whistleblower at the National Labor Relations Board, where DOGE employees allegedly accessed and possibly removed sensitive data. Additionally, the controversy surrounds the Secretary of Defense’s use of an encrypted messaging app for handling sensitive military communication, which became public after an unintended recipient was included in a chat.
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