Citizens Action and Indivisible Binghamton hold protest against Elon Musk

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) -- Protesters lined the sidewalk in front of the Federal Office Building in Downtown Binghamton Tuesday morning, calling for elected officials to take a stand against Elon Musk.

The protest was formed on Tuesday morning after it was announced that Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had gained access to the Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems and the Social Security numbers of most taxpayers through the Treasury.

This raised concerns for many people, including Linda Quilty, Co-leader of Indivisible Binghamton. She said it’s frightening that people do not know what Musk is doing.

“We have no idea what he’s doing. He’s not an elected official. He has no reason to be there. Nobody is stopping him,” said Quilty. ”Anybody who thinks that we’re overreacting just doesn’t really know; they’re not hearing it. It’s important that they have an idea of what’s going on right now.”

The protesters decided to set up outside the Federal Office Building, located at 15 Hawley St., in hopes of gaining the attention of elected leaders like Chuck Schumer and taking a stand against Musk.

Schumer spoke on the floor Tuesday morning about Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, saying that the way Musk made changes was not through a democratic process.

“Certainly, they’re entitled to have their viewpoint. But to just do things in the dark of night, to just fire people without even talking to them – talking about what they do, what their needs are – makes no sense and again, is going to lead to bad results," said Schumer.

Schumer was not the only one to speak out against Musk and his Department; Congressman Josh Riley released a statement on X Monday afternoon.

“Billionaires, big corporations, and the wealthy have enough power in Washington. The LAST thing we need is the wealthiest man in the world screwing around with the benefits our seniors have earned,” said Riley. “If Musk wants another tax break, he can get in line behind the teachers, nurses, cops, and working people who’ve waited far too long for relief.”

Last Saturday, musk posted on X saying “that payment approval officers at treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups. They literally never denied a payment in their entire career. Not even once”

Musk did not provide evidence to support his claim. More concerns have been raised regarding Musk’s international business interests and giving him access to most of the country’s private information.