DOGE got into the system — and hackers followed right behind.
The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has found itself at the center of a major scandal after a whistleblower alleged that actions by DOGE led to a massive data breach. According to Dan Beroulis, an NLRB employee, the DOGE team gained access to nearly all of the agency's critical information systems.Whistleblower Aid, the organization representing Beroulis, stated that DOGE's actions jeopardized the security of data stored across NLRB's network infrastructure. They warn that the data may now be in the hands of hostile foreign actors — posing a genuine threat to national security.
Alarming is the fact that shortly after DOGE created new accounts within the NLRB systems, hackers began attempting logins using valid credentials. These attempts happened in near real-time, suggesting a direct leak of sensitive information.
Experts fear that the level of access achieved could have allowed attackers to wipe out the agency's infrastructure within minutes. Legal analysts point out the potentially colossal implications of such a breach, both in terms of liability and national interest.
Founded in 1935, the NLRB is responsible for protecting workers' rights to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. Whistleblower Aid notes that the agency’s systems may contain union activist lists, case files, corporate information, and personal data.
Beroulis claims the amount of data copied rivals an entire branch of the New York Public Library, one of the world’s largest. He warns the breach could affect hundreds of millions of people, calling for an immediate investigation by appropriate authorities.
Several labor groups have already responded. The Massachusetts AFL-CIO, representing about half a million workers, accused DOGE of attempting to turn the NLRB into a tool for suppressing workers. They allege DOGE is acting on behalf of large corporations and shady contractors, undermining fundamental labor rights.
Additionally, according to Whistleblower Aid, Beroulis was subject to physical surveillance and threats from high-ranking officials prior to going public. The organization has called on Congress to intervene and launch an independent investigation to prevent further erosion of democratic institutions.
At the time of publication, DOGE, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk had not commented on the allegations.
It’s worth noting that a former DOGE employee recently sent an unencrypted database of personal information to two Trump administration officials, violating U.S. Treasury policy. This detail surfaced in court documents.
Moreover, the DOGE team reportedly accessed large amounts of confidential data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — including law enforcement investigations, corporate financial records, and trade secrets. Such leaks could severely damage company reputations and market positions.
When the White House announced DOGE would be given access to systems of the IRS and Social Security Administration (SSA), Acting SSA Commissioner Michelle King resigned, refusing to allow DOGE access to sensitive data.
In February, the DOGE department operating under USAID became the target of a class-action lawsuit by USAID employees, accusing DOGE of unauthorized access to sensitive systems. The suit alleges DOGE gained root access to USAID’s infrastructure, controlling the agency’s entire information environment — including national security databases.