Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has reportedly infiltrated the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. This bold move has raised alarms about potential threats to public access to crucial weather forecasts and cybersecurity. ⚠️
Current NOAA employees are expressing deep concerns about the drastic changes occurring within the agency, which oversees the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center. One employee described the situation as a “hostile corporate takeover,” jeopardizing the vital services NOAA provides to safeguard lives and property.
Witnesses claimed DOGE representatives bypassed security and demanded access to NOAA’s IT systems, purportedly targeting materials related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Reports indicate that staff have been instructed to remove or delete DEI-related content ahead of an impending audit, leading to a demoralizing atmosphere within the agency.
The chaos extends beyond NOAA, as similar intrusions have occurred at other federal agencies, raising cybersecurity concerns. Critics, including Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Jared Huffman, have condemned Musk’s actions, claiming that his team is “ransacking” the federal government and unlawfully accessing private information.
As DOGE’s agenda unfolds, fears mount that privatizing weather data could leave many Americans at risk during extreme weather events. NOAA employees remain committed to their essential work, emphasizing the importance of accessible and accurate weather information for public safety.
