Employees of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are facing threats after their names were publicly revealed, prompting federal prosecutors to investigate. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin confirmed Monday that his office is reviewing potential legal violations related to the targeting of DOGE staff.
Martin stated that his team is already taking action. “We also have our prosecutors preparing,” he said, adding that his office has reached out to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. While he did not specify names, he indicated that certain individuals or groups may have broken federal law.
The controversy began when Wired published the names of several DOGE employees, highlighting their young age and lack of prior government experience. The names were soon shared on X, leading to threats. Musk responded directly by stating, “You have committed a crime,” making it clear he considered the exposure unlawful.
Martin, in a letter to Musk, assured that his office would take action to ensure DOGE employees remain protected. “We will pursue any and all legal action against anyone who impedes your work or threatens your people,” he wrote. He also criticized the previous administration for failing to act when government workers were previously targeted.
Some have defended the release of the names, claiming that government employees have fewer privacy protections than private citizens. Others argue that exposing DOGE workers was an intentional attempt to intimidate them and disrupt the agency’s mission.
Musk has continued to defend his team, writing on X, “Time to confess: Media reports saying that @DOGE has some of the world’s best software engineers are in fact true.”
