The Department of Education's Office of Inspector General is initiating an investigation into the agency's sensitive data systems. This decision follows a request from Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and several colleagues, who expressed concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency's alleged access to the Education Department's Federal Student Aid office. This office manages the nation's $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio.

The acting Inspector General confirmed the review of sensitive data systems this week. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent entity responsible for identifying fraud, waste, abuse, and criminal activity related to the department's funds and programs.

In response to inquiries about the investigation, the Department of Education referenced a recent appeals court ruling that granted the Department of Government Efficiency access to sensitive data across various agencies, including the Education Department's student loan portfolio. The White House has defended the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency, stating that its success is "undisputed," "legal," and producing "historic results."

Warren has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's changes to federal agencies, including the Education Department. She emphasized the need for transparency regarding who has access to personal data. "The American people deserve to know if Elon Musk's DOGE guys had access to private Social Security numbers and income information," Warren stated. "It's about time these amateurs in the Education Department were investigated."

Warren highlighted the types of sensitive data that could be at risk, including borrowers' Social Security numbers and personal information stored in the National Student Loan Data Systems. The acting Inspector General indicated that the investigation will focus on the Department's management of access to sensitive data systems. This effort will be coordinated with the Government Accountability Office, which is also examining data access and handling issues within the department.

The OIG plans to begin its investigation soon, although a timeline for a final report has not been established. In June, a group of Democratic senators accused the Department of Education of not cooperating with Warren's ongoing congressional investigation into the potential access of sensitive records by Department of Government Efficiency employees.

Senator Ben Ray Luján stated, "The Department of Education has a responsibility to protect student loan borrowers' sensitive data and ensure it doesn't get into the wrong hands. I'm thankful that the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General heeded our call and will now launch an investigation into DOGE's reckless takeover. All Americans deserve clarity and accountability regarding the full extent of DOGE's role and influence at the Department of Education."

Additionally, Warren's Save Our Schools campaign, launched in April, aims to investigate the Department of Education's staffing reductions. Nearly half of the agency's staff has been cut, including hundreds of Federal Student Aid employees. Warren has warned that these staffing cuts could negatively impact students seeking higher education.

Since Secretary of Education Linda McMahon took office, the department has undergone several changes. McMahon, who has extensive private sector experience, noted that the Department of Government Efficiency was conducting a thorough audit of the agency shortly after her appointment.