What is going on here? When CNN requested some information about security clearances for Elon Musk and other personnel at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, they got a response that was just, well, great. An email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) basically said “good luck with that” – and I’m paraphrasing here – because they fired the whole privacy team. But wait, an OPM official said that’s not entirely true, they just, you know, didn’t comment further on the matter (because that’s not suspicious at all).
And, by the way, have you tried searching for government secrets on Amazon? Just a thought. But, I mean, seriously, what kind of response is that from a government agency? “Good luck with that” – it sounds like something I’d say to my friend when they’re trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions.
But, CBS News journalist Jim LaPorta was all like “definitely never seen this type of response to a FOIA request” and I’m over here like “same, Jim, same”. I mean, who needs transparency in government, right? It’s not like we’re living in a dystopian novel or anything.
According to CNN, the OPM’s privacy team is (or was, I guess) responsible for ensuring the agency’s data privacy practices meet legal requirements and protect the public’s trust. But, hey, who needs that when you’ve got Elon Musk running the show? Federal agencies are required to provide information requested via FOIA unless it falls within an exemption, but I guess that doesn’t apply when you’ve got a billionaire involved.
And, let’s be real, these firings at OPM are just a move to limit outside access to government records related to security clearances granted to Elon Musk and his associates. I mean, it’s not like they have anything to hide or anything (insert tin foil hat here). OPM was one of the first federal agencies to be infiltrated by Musk’s associates at the Department of Government Efficiency, and it’s been at the forefront of the Trump administration’s purge of federal workers.
Last month, OPM sent out that infamous “Fork in the Road” memo, which offered a widely decried deferred resignation program for nearly all federal employees. The message resembled an email that Musk sent Twitter employees in 2022 when he took over the social media platform now known as X. But, hey, who needs consistent messaging when you can just fire people and call it a day?
On X, Washington Post video journalist Jorge Ribas wrote the word “‘transparency'” in response to CNN‘s reporting about the FOIA request, and I’m just over here like “same, Jorge, same”. I mean, who needs transparency when you’ve got DOGE and conflicts of interest to deal with? And, by the way, have you tried searching for government accountability on Amazon? Just a thought.
But, seriously, what’s going on with the US government and Elon Musk? Is it just me, or does it seem like they’re trying to make 1984 a reality? I mean, I know I’m just a conspiracy theorist now, but come on, folks, wake up! It’s time to resist government tyranny and demand some actual transparency for once.
And, hey, if you’re interested in learning more about Elon Musk and his conflicts of interest, I recommend checking out some books on the topic. Or, you know, just follow Jim LaPorta on X for some investigative journalism. Either way, stay informed, folks!