By Charles Switzer
1:12pm PST, Mar 7, 2025
Government Workers Blocked from Accessing Major News Sites
The Department of Government Efficiency
(DOGE), led by
Elon Musk, has restricted Social Security Administration (SSA) employees from accessing several major news outlets, including
The New York Times,
The Washington Post and
Wired,
TheWrap reported.
The move comes as part of broader efforts to control internet usage within federal agencies. An internal email sent to SSA employees on Thursday, obtained by
Rolling Stone, outlined new browsing restrictions on government equipment.
In addition to general news sites, categories such as "sports" and "online shopping" were also blocked. Employees, however, still have access to certain political news outlets like
Axios and
Politico, raising questions about selective access to information.
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SSA Employees React to Restrictions
The decision to limit access to certain news sites has raised concerns among SSA employees, with one anonymous worker voicing alarm over the restrictions. "Local news blocked," they said in a statement. "So if there was a local shooting or something, I would not be able to see."
The blocking of certain media sources coincides with DOGE's sweeping cost-cutting measures across government agencies. The move has been met with criticism, with some arguing that limiting access to information creates a barrier for government employees to stay informed about current events and public safety issues in their communities.
Musk's $1 Trillion Federal Spending Cut Plan Moves Forward
Musk has been vocal about his ambitious plan to reduce federal spending, targeting at least $1 trillion dollars in cuts — or roughly 15 percent of the annual budget. During a conference hosted by Morgan Stanley on Wednesday, March 5, Musk reiterated his goal of aligning with President
Donald Trump's broader agenda to reduce the size of government.
Musk's initiatives under DOGE have sparked both praise and controversy, with critics warning of drastic reductions in federal staffing and essential services. President Trump publicly acknowledged Musk's leadership during his recent joint address to Congress, further cementing DOGE's role as a key player in the administration's cost-cutting efforts.
Progressives Slam Musk's Influence on Government Operations
Musk's leadership of DOGE has drawn backlash from Democratic lawmakers, including Sen.
Elizabeth Warren and Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have been vocal in their opposition.
Ocasio-Cortez, in particular, blasted the Tesla and SpaceX CEO as "not smart," criticizing his handling of federal agencies.
The backlash reflects growing concerns among progressive politicians that Musk's aggressive cost-cutting measures could disproportionately harm lower-income Americans who rely on government programs such as Social Security.
Public Opinion Divided Over Government Downsizing Efforts
Despite criticism from progressive lawmakers, public opinion on DOGE's initiatives remains split.
A CBS/YouGov poll released this week found that 51 percent of Americans support Trump's effort to
reduce government staffing. However, the same poll also indicated concerns about how these cuts could impact essential services.
The Social Security Administration, which employs around 60,000 workers, recently announced that 7,000 jobs would be cut under DOGE's oversight.
As Musk's department continues to reshape federal operations, the debate over the balance between efficiency and accessibility to public services is likely to intensify.
