By Charles Switzer
10:09am PDT, Mar 19, 2025
DOGE's Latest Controversy: Starlink Installed on White House Grounds
The Department of Government Efficiency
(DOGE) is once again making headlines after a staffer triggered an alarm while attempting to install
Elon Musk's Starlink system on the roof of a federal building near the White House.
The New York Times reported that the incident resulted in a Secret Service response, though DOGE officials later claimed they did not consider the incident to be a security breach. Despite the chaotic nature of the installation, Starlink terminals are now operational at both the White House and the General Services Administration.
Here's what happened…
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Musk's Expanding Government Influence
One of the key concerns surrounding this installation is Elon Musk's deep financial and personal ties to DOGE.
Chris Stanley, the DOGE official overseeing the project, is also a security engineer at both X and SpaceX, raising potential ethical and legal questions.
This development adds to the growing list of concerns about Musk's involvement in the
Donald Trump administration, particularly given accusations that the Commerce Department has altered federal broadband grant rules to benefit Musk's company.
Security Risks: A New Cyber Vulnerability?
While the White House already has secure fiber-optic internet, the addition of Starlink raises cybersecurity concerns.
Experts have warned that satellite internet systems could introduce new vulnerabilities, especially given Elon Musk's unpredictable business decisions and recent
cybersecurity issues at X.
Despite assurances from the administration, critics question whether this move was more about bolstering Musk's influence than enhancing national security.
DOGE's Unorthodox Approach Continues
This incident is just the latest example of DOGE's unconventional — and at times chaotic — implementation of its cost-cutting and efficiency-driven policies.
The department has faced repeated backlash for its aggressive approach to slashing federal spending and restructuring government operations.
The image of a DOGE official wandering onto the roof of a federal building without proper clearance encapsulates the agency's seat-of-the-pants decision-making.
Social Media Reactions
The news quickly sparked reactions across social media, with many expressing skepticism and concern over the implications of the event. Journalist and CNN anchor
Jake Tapper commented, "So a DOGE official just wandered onto a roof to install Musk's internet and set off an alarm? We've reached peak dystopia."
Tech entrepreneur
Brianna Wu weighed in, stating, "We're not even pretending anymore. The U.S. government is basically SpaceX's IT department now."
Political commentator
Jon Cooper quipped, "Just a friendly reminder that the White House already has secure internet. What they don't need is a direct Musk-controlled backdoor into government communications."
Meanwhile, Elon Musk himself responded dismissively, tweeting, "Helping make government more efficient. You're welcome."
As controversy swirls around DOGE and its latest Starlink installation, questions remain about Musk's deepening role in government operations — and whether his influence is truly for the nation's benefit.
