• Marko Elez, a 25-year-old staffer in Elon Musk's DOGE, resigns after racist posts are uncovered.
• His social media activity included derogatory remarks about ethnicity and advocacy for eugenic policies.
• Elez had been part of a controversial effort to restructure the Treasury Department and had restricted access to sensitive payment systems.

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is facing increased scrutiny after the resignation of Marko Elez, a 25-year-old staff member, following the resurfacing of racist social media posts. The posts, which were brought to light by the Wall Street Journal, included statements advocating for a “eugenic immigration policy” and derogatory comments targeting specific ethnic groups, including the phrase “Normalize Indian hate.”

Before resigning, Elez had been working as a temporary appointee at the U.S. Treasury, where he was involved in efforts to streamline operations and reduce fraud. He had received a ruling that permitted him to access sensitive Treasury payment systems, which raised alarms about the handling of sensitive data, including millions of Americans' banking information. According to NPR, Elez was hired to oversee cost-cutting measures resembling a complete overhaul of government processes.

The discovery of these posts, some of which included statements like “You could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity,” has drawn condemnation from various lawmakers and federal employee unions. Critics are raising concerns about the vetting and hiring processes for DOGE staff, highlighting the potential risks of providing sensitive government data access to individuals with questionable backgrounds.

In a press release, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Elez's resignation shortly after the posts were highlighted, stating that such views do not align with the values of the administration. The incident has led to broader calls for stringent oversight regarding the processes through which temporary employees are granted access to secure government systems.

This situation is part of a larger pattern surrounding Elon Musk’s aggressive restructuring strategies, which have faced resistance in Congress as concerns regarding ethical implications continue to grow. As lawmakers urge for accountability, the ongoing developments raise critical questions about the impact of Musk’s initiatives on federal operations and data security.

For further details, refer to the original articles from Salon, NPR, and India Times.