In just two weeks, Elon Musk’s takeover of key U.S. government agencies has sent shockwaves through Washington, upending established protocols and sparking widespread concern.
Armed with President Trump’s approval, Musk is cutting costs, reorganizing departments, and making personnel decisions with little oversight. Critics warn that his unchecked power could undermine fundamental government institutions.
Musk’s Aggressive Moves in Government: Key Highlights
1. Sweeping Access and Overhaul of Federal Agencies
Musk’s team gained unprecedented access to critical financial and personnel systems, including the Treasury Department and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). His initiatives have included:
- Shuttering U.S.A.I.D.: Musk spearheaded the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, a key foreign aid provider.
- Renaming U.S. Digital Service: The agency was rebranded as the “United States DOGE Service.”
- Access to Treasury Payments: Musk’s team gained “read-only” access to monitor government spending, sparking concerns of potential misuse.
2. Cost-Cutting and Layoffs
Musk’s cost-cutting strategy includes canceling federal building leases and contracts, potentially saving over $1 billion daily. His team has been laying off civil servants, issuing mass severance offers similar to those during his Twitter takeover.
- “Fork in the Road” Emails: Federal employees were given the option to resign and receive severance packages.
- Zero-Based Budgeting: At the General Services Administration (GSA), Musk’s team implemented a strategy to cut all budgets to zero and justify any necessary expenditures.
3. Musk’s Expanding Influence and Conflicts of Interest
Musk’s business interests, including SpaceX and Tesla, create major conflicts of interest as he gains influence over agencies that regulate and award contracts to his companies.
- SpaceX Contracts: Musk played a role in appointing Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, who previously helped secure SpaceX’s multibillion-dollar contract for spy satellite deployment.
- Potential Misuse of Power: Democrats have raised concerns over Musk’s influence, with some calling for legislation to limit his team’s access to federal systems.
4. Secrecy and Fear Within the Federal Workforce
Musk’s team operates with high levels of secrecy, keeping federal employees in the dark and conducting “one-way interviews” to assess their roles and determine potential layoffs.
- Suspicion and Tension: Civil servants describe a work environment of fear and uncertainty, with some being interviewed by Musk’s team without being told the purpose of the meetings.
- Cultural Shift: Musk’s team, known for wearing blazers over T-shirts, has been nicknamed “the Bobs,” after the corporate hatchet men in Office Space.
5. Potential Legal and Ethical Violations
Musk’s sweeping authority has raised legal concerns, with critics questioning whether his actions violate civil service protections and Congressional authority over agency budgets.
- Lawsuits: At least four lawsuits have been filed to challenge Musk’s authority and policy changes.
- Congressional Response: Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are introducing legislation to revoke Musk’s team’s access to federal payment systems.
- Ethical Waivers: It remains unclear if Musk was granted waivers to bypass federal ethics rules regarding conflicts of interest.
6. Musk’s Vision: A Radical Transformation of Government
Musk has described his efforts as long-overdue reforms, focusing on reducing wasteful spending and increasing efficiency through AI-driven systems. His team is working to centralize government contracts and use AI tools to recommend budget cuts.
- AI and Automation: Musk’s team aims to deploy AI tools to monitor and optimize federal contracts and spending.
- Deficit Reduction: Musk believes eliminating “fraudulent payments” through Treasury oversight could help balance the budget, though experts are skeptical of this claim.
Elon Musk’s rapid takeover of federal agencies represents a dramatic shift in how the U.S. government operates. Supporters argue that his cost-cutting measures and technological innovations could modernize the bureaucracy.
Critics, however, warn that his unchecked authority, conflicts of interest, and disregard for established protocols pose serious risks to democratic governance. As lawsuits and Congressional pushback escalate, the long-term impact of Musk’s government shake-up remains to be seen.