Hundreds gather outside Treasury Department to protest Elon Musk’s government influence – WTOP
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accompanied by other members of congress, including Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, left, and Rep. Maxine Water, D-Calif., speaks during a rally against Elon Musk outside the Treasury Department in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
CLOSINGS & DELAYS: DC-area schools announce delays ahead of winter weather threat on Thursday. See the full list.
Scott Gelman | sgelman@wtop.com
February 4, 2025, 9:00 PMOver 1,000 people gathered in front of the Treasury Department in D.C. on Tuesday afternoon, protesting what they described as a breach of secure information and excessive access being offered to tech billionaire Elon Musk.In between comments from House and Senate Democrats, the crowd chanted “Let us in!” to the building they were standing in front of and “Elon Musk has got to go!”Some held signs that said things ranging from “Musk owns Trump” to “Muskrats are an invasive species.”The gathering came after some members of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reportedly gained access to sensitive information, including bank accounts and Social Security payments.“I’m worried about the sensitivity of our personal information being just put in the hands of teenagers, literally, and who have no knowledge of what government is really like,” Gabriela Kock said. “I’m afraid that this country is not going in the right direction with the decisions that are being made right now.”Anita Martineau, meanwhile, said she and her friends make calls and send emails to members of Congress to “keep that pressure up.”“I am definitely concerned about what’s happening here with Elon Musk in the Treasury, for sure, and I’m also concerned for civil servants who are being targeted,” Martineau said. “It is just wrong. It’s morally wrong. They are patriotic Americans who are doing their duty and doing their jobs to protect all of us.”Addressing the crowd, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), “Elon Musk (is) coming in to the Department of Treasury and stealing Social Security numbers, personal data. Are we going to let this stand?”The protest shut down portions of 15th Street and surrounding streets near the White House for over an hour.
Related stories
Protesters in cities across the US rally against Trump’s policies, Project 2025 and Elon Musk
Democrats confront limits of their power in bid to stop Trump and Musk
Nonprofit’s lawsuit over the federal funding freeze is part of an ‘avalanche’ of litigation
Trump and Musk’s dismantling of government is shaking the foundations of US democracy
Describing Musk as “America’s Rasputin,” a protester named John said he’s “taking unauthorized power that is nowhere in the Constitution, no security clearance; he’s just bought whatever he has. He has no expertise, no authority, no moral legitimacy.”Some demonstrators held signs expressing support for federal workers, though the Trump administration recently offered deferred resignations.Jenifer, who said she’s worked for the federal government for 26 years, said there’s “a lot of chaos, and people don’t know what to do, and misinformation. We don’t think it’s right.”Others held red signs that said “Stop Elon’s Takeover.”“We have been compromised by a foreigner,” said Ron Ford, a Vietnam veteran. “The Trump administration is entirely corrupt, and there is no way that we can live in this kind of a society where we value no one.”Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.Scott Gelman is a digital editor and writer for WTOP. A South Florida native, Scott graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019. During his time in College Park, he worked for The Diamondback, the school’s student newspaper.5425 Wisconsin Ave
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
hello@wtop.com
202.895.5000
Copyright © 2025 by WTOP. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
