Nearly 50 House Democrats Push Trump Administration to End Unapproved AI Tools
Almost 50 House Democrats have written a letter urging the Trump administration to stop using unauthorized AI systems in its effort to cut government spending. The letter, which was sent on Wednesday, raises concerns about the use of AI by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency created by Trump and led by Elon Musk to reduce waste and fraud in the federal government.
While the Democrats recognize that AI could help modernize the U.S. government, they are worried about reports of the administration using AI to monitor employees and access sensitive data. The letter, led by Representatives Donald Beyer, Mike Levin, and Melanie Stansbury, points out that these actions could lead to security risks, conflicts of interest, and even criminal liability if mishandled.
The letter also mentions that the Trump administration is reportedly using AI to track worker communications that could be seen as hostile toward the government. It’s been noted that DOGE is heavily using Grok AI, developed by Musk’s company, xAI.
The House Democrats are demanding that any AI tools not approved through formal processes, like FedRAMP, be immediately shut down. They’ve specifically questioned whether the Trump administration is using any technology from Musk’s xAI, and if so, whether it complies with necessary laws and authorizations. They’re also worried about potential conflicts of interest if Musk’s company continues to get government contracts.
At the same time, Trump officials are pushing ahead with efforts to streamline the acquisition of AI by the government while ensuring agencies manage any risks especially when it comes to AI applications in hiring or firing decisions.
Lawmakers Urge Trump to End Unapproved AI Tools in Government Spending”
