In a series of unprecedented moves, billionaire Elon Musk has positioned himself at the center of a dramatic transformation within the U.S. government. Musk, known for his ventures in technology and space exploration, has now turned his attention to reshaping federal agencies with the backing of former President Donald Trump. Recent developments reveal that Musk's influence has extended to the operations of USAid, the Treasury Department, and other significant government bodies, leading to widespread concern and legal challenges.
The Heritage Foundation thinktank has called for the reform of USAid in its Project 2025 report, accusing the agency of spreading "climate extremism" and "gender radicalism." This critique aligns with Musk's recent assertions on X, where he engaged with far-right accounts to tout his dismantling of USAid. Musk's strategic involvement with government reform gained momentum as he contributed over $250 million to Donald Trump's re-election efforts, rapidly accumulating political sway.
With Trump's support, Musk has established himself at the core of the new administration. He has been entrusted with a "department of government efficiency," allowing his team unprecedented access to sensitive government systems within the Treasury Department and USAid. Musk and his team have also exerted control over the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration, aiming to terminate office leases and dismantle government agencies.
The changes have had significant repercussions for humanitarian organizations reliant on U.S. funding. Many have halted operations and laid off staff due to the abrupt shifts in agency priorities. Furthermore, government workers have found themselves locked out of their offices, unable to perform their duties effectively.
Musk's assertive approach has not gone unchallenged. Opposition voices have raised concerns about the potential consequences of his actions. In a statement reposted by Musk from a Trump-appointed federal prosecutor, he suggested that any opposition to his team would face punitive measures.
The situation escalated when two senior security officials at USAid attempted to block Musk's team from gaining physical access to restricted areas, resulting in a tense standoff. Meanwhile, David Lebryk, the acting secretary of the Treasury Department, resigned after refusing to grant Musk's team access to highly secure systems. Both security officials have since been placed on administrative leave.
Emails sent to USAid staff instructed them not to come into work due to the ongoing changes. This has prompted government accountability groups to file lawsuits against Musk's team, alleging violations of federal transparency laws.
Former President Trump has publicly addressed concerns about Musk's actions, stating:
"Elon can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval."
He further clarified:
"We’ll give him approval where appropriate and where not appropriate we won’t."
In response to criticisms, Musk defended his team's actions on X by stating:
"All @DOGE did was check to see which federal organizations were violating the @POTUS executive orders the most. Turned out to be USAID, so that became our focus."
He also emphasized the urgency of his mission:
"We’re never going to get another chance like this."
However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed alarm at the developments, warning:
"An unelected shadow government is conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government. DOGE is not a real government agency. DOGE has no authority to shut programs down or to ignore federal law."
As these events unfold, the implications of Musk's involvement in government operations remain a point of contention among policymakers and the public alike. His team's actions continue to evoke strong reactions from various quarters, underscoring the complexity of implementing sweeping changes in federal agencies.