Nixon Administration abuses led to the passage of strict tax privacy laws. That’s one reason moves by DOGE to access sensitive data are so controversial.

The data system DOGE wants access to includes people’s bank account information, Social Security numbers — and whether they’re under investigation by the IRS.

If Elon Musk’s target of $2 trillion in spending cuts is achieved by next year, supporters of the idea say that about one-fifth of those funds could be distributed to taxpaying households.