Elon Musk, the richest person in the world, has raised eyebrows with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gaining unprecedented access to the US government's data and computer systems. The latest development has sparked concerns about the potential risks of Musk's influence, particularly with regards to America's nuclear weapons. The Department of Energy (DOE), which oversees the country's nuclear arsenal, has become the latest addition to DOGE's purview, prompting Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to publicly deny that Musk and his team have access to atomic secrets.

The news has sparked alarm bells, especially given the Trump administration's history of deception regarding DOGE's access levels. The possibility of a pseudo-department named after a shiba inu gaining access to nuclear weapons may seem far-fetched, but it highlights the blurring of lines between government norms and private interests. As the US has one of the most powerful nuclear arsenals on the planet, capable of ending all life on Earth multiple times over, the stakes are extremely high.

Fortunately, accessing nuclear command and control systems from a random laptop hooked into a DOE network is virtually impossible. A State Department employee with knowledge of the issue explained that launching a nuke requires physical access to the weapon itself, and multiple military officials would need to decide to follow the order. The command and control systems are not connected to the internet and run on a closed network, with some equipment dating back to the 1960s and '70s. However, the employee expressed concerns about the decrepit state of these systems, which could pose a risk in a crisis.

Experts like Alex Wellerstein, an associate professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology, agree that the current command and control systems are not "hackable" due to their outdated nature. However, Wellerstein points out that Musk has another path to nuclear weapons: President Trump. If Musk were to fool Trump into believing nuclear war was imminent, it could potentially lead to a catastrophic outcome.

For this to happen, Trump would need to open up his Football, a leather-coated briefcase containing communications equipment that puts him in touch with the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon. To make the call, Trump would need a laminated sheet of paper called the Biscuit, containing a long string of alpha-numeric code. However, the President doesn't have launch codes; instead, he has a code that authenticates his voice. Musk would need to get the Biscuit, access the Football, and call in a code in Trump's voice, or convince Trump to do it.

There's another worrying wrinkle: the Football and the Biscuit only exist because people in the past decided it's the best way for the President to order a nuclear launch. Trump could change this process at any time for any reason, potentially delegating nuclear use powers to others. This raises concerns about the potential for abuse, especially given the lack of clearances among DOGE employees.

The clearest nuclear threat might not be Musk launching an intercontinental-ballistic missile, but rather his influence on routine environmental cleanup around nuclear weapons projects. The Department of Energy planned to spend $8.2 billion cleaning up Cold War-era nuclear waste under Biden, but DOGE and Musk might see this as "woke" and decide to shut it down. This could have devastating consequences for people's health and the environment.

The situation highlights the risks of allowing private interests to influence government decisions, especially when it comes to sensitive nuclear secrets. As Wellerstein notes, "Regulations only work if people take them seriously. Laws only work if they are enforced." The current situation raises questions about the enforcement of laws and regulations, and the potential consequences of allowing "move fast and break things" philosophies to dominate government decision-making.

In conclusion, the story of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency and its access to the Department of Energy raises critical questions about the potential risks of private influence on government decisions, particularly when it comes to nuclear weapons. As the situation continues to unfold, it's essential to scrutinize the actions of DOGE and the Trump administration, ensuring that the safety and security of the American people are prioritized above all else.