Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has revealed that tech mogul Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team helped uncover spyware installed on devices used by herself and her team.
Noem noted that the same spyware was also discovered on the devices of other political appointees inside DHS.
She made the disclosure during an interview with Valuetainment host Patrick Bet-David.
Noem described what she characterized as serious internal security breaches within the agency.
Sharing a clip of the interview, Noem wrote in a post on X.
“Performing my role as Secretary of Homeland Security has shown me just how real and dangerous the deep state really is.
“@elonmusk helped us find that a few DHS staff had installed spying software on the phones and computers of myself and other political hires.”
WATCH:
Performing my role as Secretary of Homeland Security has shown me just how real and dangerous the deep state really is.@elonmusk helped us find that a few DHS staff had installed spying software on the phones and computers of myself and other political hires. We found secret,… pic.twitter.com/ktnM6j7kog
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) February 26, 2026
She added: “We found secret, secure rooms with hidden files that we turned over to attorneys.
“Under the leadership of [President Trump], DHS is returning to the standard of excellence and behavior we expect our government agencies to function at.
“We will root out actors who do not have the interests of America in mind.”
Spyware Allegedly Installed by DHS Staff
According to Noem, the surveillance software was installed by a small number of rogue DHS staff members.
Specific identities and technical details about the software have not been publicly released.
She also stated that concealed rooms containing hidden files were discovered and that those materials were turned over to legal counsel for review.
No further information has been disclosed about the contents of the files or the scope of the alleged surveillance.
Noem confirmed that the employees involved were terminated.
DOGE’s Expanding Role
The revelation comes amid broader efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to overhaul federal agencies and eliminate what officials have described as entrenched bureaucratic resistance.
DOGE, which was initially led by Musk, has conducted examinations of data systems across multiple federal departments, including the Treasury Department, the Office of Personnel Management, FEMA, and other DHS components.
These reviews have continued even after Musk’s departure from the White House last year.
Earlier in 2025, Noem confirmed during a television appearance that Trump had explicitly authorized Musk’s access to DHS information for efficiency-related purposes.
Musk has not issued a separate public statement specifically addressing the spyware disclosure.
“As Bad as It Is”
Noem framed the incident as evidence of deeper institutional problems within the agency.
“I always believed when people talked about the deep state that it existed,” she said.
“I never would have dreamed that it was as bad as it is.”
The allegation that DHS employees installed unauthorized surveillance software on political leadership devices raises significant internal security concerns for an agency tasked with safeguarding federal networks and critical infrastructure.
Further details about the investigation, including potential criminal referrals or additional personnel actions, have not yet been made public.
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