Key Takeaways:

• Democratic lawmakers express alarm over Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accessing student loan databases.
• A federal lawsuit has been filed to block DOGE's access, citing privacy violations for millions of student borrowers.
• The Education Department faces scrutiny amid efforts to slash its budget as part of President Trump's agenda to eliminate the department.

WASHINGTON — Concerns are escalating regarding the access Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has to sensitive personal information within the Education Department. Lawmakers are raising alarms about the potential implications for the privacy of over 42 million federal student loan borrowers as DOGE gains control over critical databases containing sensitive data.

A group of Democratic lawmakers led by Rep. Mark Takano has pushed back against this growing access, highlighting their fears that this could pave the way for a broader takeover of federal education systems. In a recent letter to the acting education secretary, the Democrats demanded transparency regarding DOGE's activities and expressed their intention to combat any plans aimed at dismantling the Education Department.

Earlier this week, it came to light that DOGE had already received access to databases holding personal information including Social Security numbers, driver's license details, and other sensitive data vital to millions of Americans. Reports indicate that the DOGE team may soon be granted administrator rights over the department's website, allowing them to modify online content or potentially take the site offline entirely.

In response to these developments, a federal lawsuit was filed by the Public Citizen Litigation Group and the Student Defense, representing the University of California Student Association. This lawsuit argues that granting DOGE such access constitutes a profound invasion of privacy, violating trust established with borrowers when they submitted their applications or filled out the FAFSA.

Moreover, the Los Angeles Times reported that GOP lawmakers are pressing for tighter scrutiny of DOGE's access methods, particularly following comments from the White House indicating Trump’s administration is considering drastic budget cuts to the department.

Your administration's ambition to downsize the Education Department aligns with President Trump's ongoing campaign promise to eliminate governmental bodies he claims have been co-opted by "radicals." In recent statements, Trump's designation of professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon as his pick for education secretary has intensified the conversation surrounding funding and federal oversight of education.

The Education Department, navigating through turmoil caused by sudden staff cuts and changes, has defended DOGE, noting that its employees are now federal representatives sworn in to ensure accountability and efficiency within the department. However, silence from the department regarding specific allegations raises questions about the integrity of current practices and oversight.

The controversy surrounding DOGE's access to sensitive student loan information is likely to escalate as lawmakers seek clarity and accountability. Watch for further developments regarding the litigation and political responses in the upcoming weeks.

For more detailed reporting, visit AP News, Time, or Business Insider.