White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is not sure if right wing billionaire Elon Musk has passed a background check or even has security clearance.
Last week, the Trump administration placed two top security chiefs at the U.S. Agency for International Development on leave after they refused to turn over classified material in restricted areas to Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team.
Members of DOGE, eventually did gain access to the aid agency’s classified information, which includes intelligence reports, according to the Associated Press.
Musk and his team has also gained access to sensitive information at the Treasury Department including the Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems.
Pressed by reporters about Musk’s clearance to access these documents Leavitt suggested that she has no idea.
“What kind of security clearance does he [Musk] have?” CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins asked.
“I’m not sure, but I can check back with you,” Leavitt answered.
“Did he pass a background check, do you know?” Collins pressed.
“I don’t know about the security clearance, but I can check,” Leavitt said.
Asked whether she knew if anyone on Musk’s team had also received a security clearance, Leavitt replied, “I don’t, no, but again, I can check on that for you.”
Leavitt did confirm though that Musk is serving as a ‘special government employee,’ meaning is not a volunteer but also not a full-time federal employee, CNN reports.
“I can confirm he’s a special government employee,” Leavitt said Monday. “I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws.”
