PARKERSBURG — Democratic Party leaders are critical of a reported visit by the Department of Government Efficiency at the Bureau of Fiscal Service in Parkersburg.

National media is reporting Elon Musk will send a group to Parkersburg possibly today to access a central accounting system containing sensitive financial information.

The state Democratic Party questioned the motives, calling it a witch hunt.

“The so-called Department of Government Efficiency appears to be little more than a ‘Department of Score Settling’ with Elon Musk targeting agencies and employees perceived as adversaries of President Trump,” said Mike Pushkin, chairman of the state party. “This initiative threatens not only the livelihoods of hardworking West Virginians but also the integrity of our public institutions.”

The Department of Government Efficiency was created by President Donald Trump by executive order. A judge last week limited access into the Treasury Department’s payment systems earlier this week after a lawsuit was filed.

ACLU West Virginia posted on its Facebook page on Monday that it will participate with local protestors in a peaceful protest at noon today at Bicentennial Park.

“Let’s send the message that our personal data matters and should not be in the hands of unelected billionaires,” the organization said.

An email to the Department of the Treasury was not immediately answered.

Eric Engle, chief steward of National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 190, which represents employees of the bureau in Parkersburg, said he believes the demonstration planned for downtown opposing DOGE and its access to “highly sensitive government systems (is) democracy in action.

“NTEU has taken DOGE and this administration to court to protect the American people’s privacy, financial security, and the rights of the hardworking and dedicated federal employees we represent,” he said.

Jeff Fox, Wood County Democratic Party chair, cited the potential impact on the community.

“Our community relies heavily on the employment provided by the U.S. Treasury Office here in Parkersburg,” he said. “The prospect of DOGE’s intervention raises serious concerns about job security for our residents who have dedicated their careers to public service.”

The party has asked Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice and Reps. Carol Miller and Riley Moore and Gov. Patrick Morrisey, all Republicans, “to use their influence with the Trump administration to call off this politically motivated witch hunt,” the state party release said.

“If these elected officials truly care about West Virginia jobs, they must stand up to Trump and Musk instead of rubber-stamping their reckless and vindictive agenda,” it said.

Capito, senior senator from West Virginia, will be in Washington today for votes and meetings, but is “monitoring the situation and has been communicating with the Bureau of Fiscal Service’s leadership,” a spokesman said.

However, the Democratic Party remains in “solidarity with the federal employees in Parkersburg and across the state, advocating for the protection of their jobs and the essential services they provide.” according to Pushkin.