Elon Musk's DOGE team visits CDC in Atlanta, reports say
Lawmakers split over doge's visit to CDC in Atlanta
The so-called DOGE team was on the ground in metro Atlanta. Representatives for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency reportedly came to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week. Now one top Georgia Democrat is calling foul.
ATLANTA - Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has rapidly expanded its presence across multiple federal agencies, with reports confirming that representatives visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta on Wednesday, according to the Washington Post.
The DOGE team reportedly asked the CDC to give them a list of employees who have been on the job less than a year or who are still in a two-year probationary period.
Coincidentally, the visit happened on the same day that dozens of protesters gathered near the Georgia State Capitol to protest actions taken by both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
A protest as part of the 50501 Movement, which seeks to fight policies made by the Trump administration, took place at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta on Feb. 5, 2025. (FOX 5)
FOX 5 Atlanta reached out to both the CDC, who referred us to the Department of Health and Human Services, and the union that represents many of the employees of the CDC for confirmation of the visit.
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What is DOGE?
What we know:
DOGE was created through an executive order on Trump’s first day in office, restructuring the U.S. Digital Service into the U.S. DOGE Service.
Led by Musk, the initiative aims to modernize federal technology, streamline government efficiency, and eliminate wasteful expenditures. While DOGE is not technically a new agency, many of its members hold the status of "special government employees," according to the Congressional Research Service.
Though its role is broadly defined, DOGE officials have been gaining access to sensitive government data upon request.
Its work has primarily focused on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) but has also expanded into the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Labor Department, where Musk’s involvement sparked a large protest on Wednesday at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
RELATED: USAID staffers stunned, angered by Trump admin's DOGE shutdown of $40B agency
In a statement on DOGE’s scope on Monday, Trump said, "Elon can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval."
What authority does DOGE have?
What we don't know:
There is no clear outline in Trump’s executive order specifying the exact authority DOGE has. The order vaguely states that its mission is to "implement the President’s DOGE Agenda" by modernizing federal operations. However, the extent of its decision-making power and oversight mechanisms remain uncertain.
Additionally, it is unclear how much classified or sensitive information DOGE officials have accessed.
Reports suggest Musk and his team have gained access to federal payroll data, classified intelligence documents, foreign intelligence partner information, and even the identities of undercover agents. The lack of formal congressional approval or oversight has raised concerns about national security and potential data misuse.
The backstory:
Musk first floated the idea of DOGE in September, before Trump’s election.
After securing victory, Trump followed through by appointing Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (who is no longer involved) to lead the initiative, instructing them to "slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies." Since taking office, Trump has aggressively supported Musk’s role, viewing it as an extension of his campaign promises to shrink government bureaucracy.
The speed and scope of DOGE’s work has been unprecedented. Within just two weeks of Trump taking office, it appears that Musk has established a parallel power structure inside the federal government, reshaping agency operations without going through Congress. The move has set the stage for a potential constitutional clash over executive authority.
RELATED: Rep. Greene's DOGE subcommittee to tackle government waste in first hearing
How are lawmakers reacting?
What they're saying:
Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee are demanding answers, specifically about how much access Musk and his team have to sensitive federal data.
According to the Associated Press, lawmakers sent a letter to Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, asking for clarity on security precautions taken to prevent unauthorized data leaks. The letter warns that mishandling this information—whether intentionally or through negligence—could put national security and personal privacy at risk.
The letter also cites concerns that Musk’s access includes classified intelligence, medical and financial records of millions of Americans, and information on foreign intelligence allies.
FOX 5 Atlanta's Rob DiRienzo also spoke to Georgia Democratic Congresswoman Nikema Williams who told him that this is a government takeover, plain and simple. Williams also told FOX 5 Atlanta that it has frightened many people at the CDC.
How are federal employees reacting?
What they're saying:
Musk’s presence has sent shockwaves through the federal workforce, with many employees worried about job security. The government has offered a buyout program, allowing employees to resign with pay through Sept. 30.
The offer, which expires Feb. 6, reportedly applies to most of the 2.3 million federal civilian employees.
Editor's Note: A judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's plan offering buyouts to federal workers to resign since this article was first published.
Adding to employee fears, concerns spread across federal agencies on Sunday night that workers could be locked out of their human resources systems, preventing them from accessing pay records, employment history, and qualifications.
Some supervisors even urged employees to download their SF-50 personnel records to personal computers to ensure they could prove their federal employment if disputes arise, according to the Associated Press.
The other side:
In response to criticisms, Republicans have defended Musk’s role, saying he is simply carrying out Trump’s government efficiency agenda.
Republican Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan told FOX 5 Atlanta that the American people expect their tax money not to be wasted and spent on "stupid things."
Additionally, Jordan said that the people who live off of big government are trying to block any kind of cuts and attacking Musk in the process.
Additionally, Republican lawmakers in several states are exploring ways they can also "identify, investigate and eliminate wasteful spending."
RELATED: States from NJ to TX draft similar initiatives as federal leaders celebrate
What's next:
The legal and political battle over DOGE’s authority is just beginning. Congressional Democrats are demanding transparency, while federal agencies are scrambling to determine the full extent of Musk’s access. Meanwhile, Trump continues to support the initiative, signaling that Musk will remain a key player in his administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government.
As DOGE expands its influence, federal employees, lawmakers, and intelligence officials will be watching closely to see whether this new power structure remains within legal boundaries—or triggers a major constitutional crisis.