Earlier this year, an unexpected development unfolded just steps from the Oval Office. Without notifying key IT officials, members of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), in coordination with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, quietly installed a Starlink satellite internet terminal on the roof of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB).
The installation, carried out without the usual oversight or clearance procedures, blindsided the very teams tasked with securing and managing communications infrastructure for one of the most sensitive government campuses in the country.
This revelation, first reported by The Washington Post, has triggered alarm among cybersecurity experts and federal personnel alike. The EEOB, after all, houses senior White House staff and national security officials—making any network access point installed without scrutiny an immediate concern.
Wi-Fi Network Raises Eyebrows and Security Concerns
Trouble began brewing in February when White House staff noticed a mysterious new Wi-Fi network on their phones. Labeled “Starlink Guest,” the network prompted users only for a password. Unlike most federal systems, it did not require a username or any form of multi-factor authentication.
While this might seem harmless at first glance, experts say such lax security settings can pose major risks. An improperly configured network can become a gateway for outside intrusions, especially if IT teams are not aware of it or equipped to monitor it.
The real worry wasn’t just the weak login protocols—it was the fact that the network appeared out of nowhere. According to sources familiar with the incident, no one from the White House’s cybersecurity or IT departments was consulted or briefed before the Starlink terminal went live. Even months later, the “Starlink Guest” network reportedly remained visible to White House visitors and staff alike.
Secret Service Plays Down Risk
Despite internal concerns, the Secret Service has taken a more relaxed view. In a public statement, spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the agency had been aware of DOGE’s intent to expand internet access and did not classify the Starlink deployment as a security incident or breach.
However, critics argue that the Secret Service’s position misses the bigger picture. The issue wasn’t just about internet speed or convenience—it was about a high-tech device being introduced into a sensitive environment without clearance, oversight, or monitoring. For an administration that has emphasized national security, the lapse seems especially troubling.
Growing Skepticism Around Musk’s Government Role
The Starlink saga has also reignited broader concerns about Elon Musk’s growing footprint in government operations. While Musk’s companies—particularly SpaceX—have become integral to U.S. space programs, some federal agencies are growing uneasy about placing so much reliance on a single private actor.
This unease was on display earlier in the week, when reports surfaced that NASA and the Pentagon are actively encouraging rival aerospace firms to accelerate development of alternative technologies. The goal: reduce dependency on SpaceX and ensure that no single company holds disproportionate influence over national programs.
Tensions escalated when Musk, in an apparent response to political friction with President Trump, briefly threatened to stop flights of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The vehicle plays a key role in NASA’s logistics pipeline, ferrying critical supplies to the International Space Station. Though Musk quickly rescinded the threat, sources within NASA described the moment as unnerving and a wake-up call for broader contingency planning.
Starlink’s Future on the White House Campus Uncertain
So far, SpaceX has remained silent on the controversy. The company has not issued any public statement regarding the Starlink terminal installed on the EEOB rooftop or the mounting scrutiny it now faces from various federal agencies.
It’s also unclear whether the terminal is still operational or if steps have been taken to bring it into compliance with federal cybersecurity standards. The situation has grown more opaque with Musk’s recent departure from his advisory role within the Trump administration. Whether his exit will prompt a reevaluation of DOGE’s tech decisions or signal a broader policy shift remains to be seen.
