Elon Musk has acted quickly in his attempt to reshape the federal government. Many Democrats, along with some Republicans, argue that his actions are illegal.
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| Musk is following the same playbook he used when he took over Twitter, now X. |
Feb. 4, 2025, 4:00 PM GMT+6
In tech industry shorthand, Elon Musk has effectively "hacked" into the government.
Although he has never been elected to public office nor confirmed for a senior government role, Musk has gained access to sensitive federal data within days, thanks to his position as head of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency project (DOGE). With this position, Musk has been pushing a wide-reaching agenda that could spark a constitutional crisis. His approach mirrors Silicon Valley's notorious ethos of "move fast and break things," with Musk diving into government systems and structures in an attempt to reshape them. This includes a deep dive into details like office leases, budgets, vendor contracts, and employee performance, aiming to drastically downsize federal agencies.
With a team that includes engineers as young as 19 and the backing of Trump, Musk has secured unprecedented access to government databases and the Treasury Department's payment system through a series of bureaucratic maneuvers. Many Democrats and some Republicans are concerned that Musk and his non-government staff are operating without accountability, possibly breaking the law in their efforts to shrink the government.
DOGE, established by a Trump executive order, allows Musk a temporary position as a “special government employee,” granting him greater access while bypassing certain disclosure requirements that apply to full-time government staff. Musk’s DOGE team is targeting agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with some staff now working at the Treasury Department, and has openly discussed overhauling agencies like the Education Department and the Government Accountability Office.
A SpaceX affiliate is reportedly advising the FBI, and the White House Office of Personnel Management is offering federal employees “deferred resignations,” resembling Musk's shakeup at Twitter. At USAID, more than 1,000 employees have been fired or furloughed, and security officials were put on leave after trying to stop DOGE from accessing secure systems.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Musk’s actions, warning that DOGE’s efforts could jeopardize essential government services, like the Postal Service, IRS, or Social Security Administration.
Though it remains unclear what Musk’s team plans to do with the sensitive data, Musk has hinted at cutting federal jobs, canceling contracts, and halting payments to showcase alleged government waste. His previous actions, such as releasing internal Twitter documents, suggest a similar approach.
Critics, including former Republican staffer Brian Riedl, argue that Musk’s lack of accountability poses a threat to democracy. Senator Patty Murray described his actions as illegal and a conflict of interest, citing Musk’s ties to China and potential for undermining federal funds based on personal bias.
Musk’s claims of government waste, like the debunked $50 million in taxpayer money for Gaza condoms, have been widely criticized. His secretive operation, withholding information about hired officials and the scope of his actions, has raised suspicions.
In response to growing public attention, Musk and his team have threatened legal action against those revealing their identities. U.S. Attorney Edward Martin vowed to prosecute individuals targeting DOGE staff.
Musk, working long hours, claims his team of young engineers are making significant progress in tackling government inefficiencies. However, the lack of transparency around DOGE’s operations raises significant questions, especially considering its claims of massive budget cuts and its broader impact on government functioning.
Although DOGE is an unofficial department with no congressional oversight, Musk now appears to hold more sway in Washington than many Cabinet members. The Trump administration has pledged to monitor Musk’s activities closely, but concerns remain about his unchecked influence and the legal and constitutional implications of his actions.
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