RFK Jr. Hands Over Sensitive Taxpayer Information to Musk’s DOGE Goons
The sensitive database could offer information that the IRS has so far denied Musk’s government-slashing group.

Getty Images
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services has granted Elon Musk’s team at the Department of Government Efficiency access to the database that tracks child support payments, according to a report.
The decision overruled the objections of career HHS employees who were concerned that the database contains sensitive personal income data about millions of Americans, four people with knowledge of the matter told The Washington Post.
Three of the inside sources said that one official who objected to giving access to Musk’s foot soldiers is no longer with the agency.
One HHS official confirmed that Musk’s team was granted “read only” access to the system and was required to complete “necessary trainings” before using it. The database is overseen by the Administration for Children and Families within the HHS.

(L-R) Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum listen as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting on Feb. 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
“ACF supports DOGE’s efforts to improve efficiency and data quality to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs,” the official told the Post. “ACF will continue to assist DOGE in efforts to strengthen the programs it runs.”
ADVERTISEMENT
DOGE, an unofficial agency launched by President Donald Trump and staffed by Musk’s handpicked young engineers, has previously sparked outcry for accessing other sensitive government systems, including the one that handles social security checks.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
DOGE has not publicly responded to calls from Democrats to explain why it needs access to the database.
As part of its effort to root out wasteful government spending and fraud, the group has been trying to compare tax records against government benefits. The goal is to identify redundant payments.
While the IRS has so far not acceded to DOGE requests and turned over tax information, which is protected by federal law, the child support database could offer similar details, according to the Post.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, head of DOGE, stands during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Feb. 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The HHS and the White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Beast’s request for comment on the situation, and the Post‘s report.
Rep. Richard Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, slammed DOGE’s access to the database in a letter to Kennedy that was obtained by the Post.
“It is essentially an end-run around the confidential taxpayer information protected by the IRS,” the lawmaker wrote. “No one, including DOGE, should be rummaging around in the confidential information of private citizens at any agency where the protected information resides.”
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
