1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

The concerning reports of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team rapidly gaining administrator access and potentially sensitive information at the Department of Education are alarming. This unprecedented intrusion puts the personal data of millions of students at risk and threatens to upend critical education initiatives. We must take immediate action to safeguard the Department of Education from DOGE's overreach. It is deeply troubling that DOGE staffers have obtained administrative email accounts and website access, allowing them to potentially access confidential student information and sow confusion through policy changes. The legal challenges filed to block this data breach and ethical concerns raised by career officials demonstrate the grave peril facing the department. Disrupting long-standing federal grants that support underserved communities, canceling civil rights investigations into book bans and LGBTQ discrimination, and attacking diversity programs exacerbate fears of an ideological purge. The Department of Education plays a vital role in ensuring equal access to quality education for all students. Its work should not be compromised by an unchecked outside force with murky intentions and insufficient oversight. Strong measures must be taken to revoke DOGE's unwarranted access, preserve the department's integrity, and protect the privacy rights of students and families. Upholding the principles of public education for the benefit of all Americans should be the paramount priority.