Two young members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have reportedly gained access to classified networks that contain sensitive information about America’s nuclear weapons. Sources tell NPR that Luke Farritor, a 23-year-old former SpaceX intern, and Adam Ramada, a venture capitalist from Miami, have had accounts on these networks for at least two weeks.
Before joining DOGE, neither Farritor nor Ramada had experience with nuclear weapons or handling classified data. Their access to these networks has raised eyebrows, especially considering the sensitive nature of the information involved.
A spokesperson for the Department of Energy has denied that Farritor and Ramada accessed classified systems, stating, "This reporting is false. No DOGE personnel have accessed these NNSA systems." They noted that the two individuals worked within the agency for a brief period and left in February. However, two independent sources who have access to the networks claim they saw the names of Farritor and Ramada in the directories, which are visible to many employees working on nuclear weapons.
The networks in question are used by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Department of Defense. The first network, known as the NNSA Enterprise Secure Network, is used to transmit critical information about nuclear weapons designs. The second network, the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet), is for secure communications between the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy regarding nuclear matters.
While the presence of accounts does not automatically grant access to classified information, it suggests a shift in how DOGE is operating within the Department of Energy. Experts emphasize that even within these networks, access to specific data is tightly controlled and based on a need-to-know basis.
In February, it was reported that DOGE employees were seeking access to classified systems, prompting Energy Secretary Chris Wright to deny any rumors of them accessing nuclear secrets. He stated, "They don’t have security clearances."
Concerns about DOGE’s access to sensitive information have grown, especially following reports of a whistleblower at the National Labor Relations Board. This whistleblower alleged that DOGE employees might have accessed sensitive labor data and attempted to cover their tracks by disabling monitoring tools.
As the situation unfolds, it highlights the ongoing scrutiny over how government agencies handle classified information and the implications of having individuals with limited experience in such sensitive roles.