House Democrats Demand Transparency on DOGE's Role at NASA Amid Conflict of Interest Concerns with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk

Top Democrats on the House Science Committee are seeking greater transparency regarding the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) activities at NASA. In a letter to Acting Administrator Janet Petro, committee members expressed dissatisfaction with NASA's response to inquiries about DOGE's presence, citing concerns over potential conflicts of interest due to Elon Musk's dual role as SpaceX CEO and de facto leader of DOGE.

The committee's concerns stem from a lack of clarity regarding the role of a DOGE employee working within NASA, including their access to sensitive information and reporting structure. The lawmakers have raised questions about whether this individual will report to NASA officials or directly to Musk, and how NASA is mitigating potential conflicts of interest.

NASA has stated that the DOGE employee will have necessary access to resources in compliance with regulations and that the agency adheres to strict conflict-of-interest policies. However, the committee remains skeptical, emphasizing the need for oversight given DOGE's authority to assign personnel to NASA without agency input. They are requesting detailed information on the "DOGE Agent's" activities and access levels by March 7.