Recently, it came to light that two young staffers from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gained access to email accounts at the Department of Education. These individuals, Akash Bobba and Ethan Shaotran, are in their early 20s and appeared in a staff directory, according to reports from Zeteo.
This development raises eyebrows, as it suggests the Department of Education might be the next target in a broader campaign led by influential figures against U.S. government agencies.
There are concerns about how DOGE is using artificial intelligence to analyze sensitive information from the Department of Education. This was highlighted in an earlier report by the Washington Post. There are also rumors that former President Donald Trump is looking to dismantle the Department of Education entirely. Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, mentioned on social media that Trump is likely to succeed in this effort.
In a recent statement, Trump indicated that he wants his appointee, Linda McMahon, to help streamline the education system to the point that federal intervention becomes unnecessary. His idea is for states to take over the management of schools. However, legally speaking, he cannot terminate the Department of Education without congressional approval. Nevertheless, he could still restrict its functions significantly.
This unfolding situation highlights a clash between innovative technological approaches and longstanding governmental structures, drawing attention to how young leaders are influencing major policy decisions.