Senators press nominee on Department of Labor data access after reports that Elon Musk-linked developers accessed sensitive systems

Senators from both parties pressed President Trump’s labor secretary nominee, Representative Lori Chavez de Remer, on whether she would protect private data held by the Department of Labor and deny private companies or their representatives access to sensitive information while investigations are pending.

Senator Patty Murray detailed reports that a private team linked to Elon Musk had obtained access to DOL systems, including OSHA investigations and Bureau of Labor Statistics data. She said the access could allow a private company under investigation to manipulate or obtain confidential records and asked the nominee to commit to denying such access. Chavez de Remer said she had not been briefed on the matter and could not yet speak to specifics, but if confirmed she “commit[ted] to you that I will always protect the Department of Labor, and those issues.”

Senator Chris Murphy pressed for a firm pledge: “Will you commit to denying access to Elon Musk or any of his representatives to information about labor violations at OSHA or any other information about labor violation investigations at the Department of Labor?” The nominee declined to make an immediate hard commitment, saying she had not been read into the underlying facts and would consult agency counsel and the White House if confirmed. She told the committee she would “come back as soon as I if confirmed and I'm in the Department of Labor coming back and answering those questions to this committee wholeheartedly.”

Chavez de Remer framed her response around following the law and consulting with agency solicitors and White House counsel before making operational commitments. Multiple senators expressed concern that granting private sector access to sensitive investigations risked insider trading, manipulation of market‑moving data and the erosion of public trust.