'You are the government!' CNN's Bash corners Kristi Noem over letting DOGE oversee FEMA

CNN's Dana Bash pressed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) having access to sensitive information about disaster victims.

"The Washington Post is reporting that Musk and his DOGE team have access to FEMA's sensitive disaster data, which includes personal information about tens of thousands of disaster victims," Bash began. "Have you authorized Elon Musk and his team to have access to Americans' personal data that is housed inside DHS?"

Noem answered that she was working with DOGE and asked Congress for the authority to reprogram funds, when Bash interrupted, "But that's different from him having access to personal data that is housed in the — "

"The president has authorized him to have access," Noem responded.

"And you feel comfortable with that?" Bash pushed back.

"Absolutely," Noem answered.

Bash continued, "I remember a time when Republicans were very careful about and worried about the government, particularly unelected people, having access to personal data."

"Well, we can't trust the government anymore."

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"You are the government!" Bash exclaimed.

"Yes, that's what I'm saying, is that the American people now are saying that we have had our personal information shared, and out there in the public —," before being interrupted.

"But now Elon Musk has access to it," Bash pushed back.

"Yeah, but Elon Musk is part of the administration that is helping us identify where we can find savings and what we can do. And he has gone through the processes to make sure that he has the authority," Noem responded.

"You're totally comfortable with that?"

"I am today by the work that he is doing by identifying waste, fraud and abuse. And his information that he has is looking at programs, not focusing on personal data and information," Noem said.

"Not focusing on it, but he has access to it," Bash repeated.

"You know, we'll be continuing to talk to him about what all he has access to," Noem maintained, adding that "this audit needs to happen."

Watch the clip below via CNN or at the link.