Tech billionaire Elon Musk’s rapid rise to power has prompted a visceral reaction among Washington leaders.
He’s everywhere: He’s on this week’s cover of Time magazine. (📸 The cover) He also shared a photo of himself sporting a comically big MAGA hat while standing in the Oval Office. (📸 Elon in the giant MAGA hat)
And so is DOGE: Trump is using Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to try to gut the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and has his eyes set on the Department of Education next. He’s also targeted diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and foreign aid. His team has gained access to some government agency’s internal systems, one of which includes sensitive tax information for Americans. Musk claims his effort has already saved more than $1 billion. More on what DOGE has done so far
Democrats are obviously livid: Democrats have struggled to find their footing to combat Trump’s barrage of changes in his second administration. But witnessing Musk’s seemingly unchecked power has helped them rally in opposition. Democrats are trying to characterize him as a boogeyman, with some in the party pointing to the fact that he’s a high-profile billionaire who is erratic and out of touch with most Americans.
The Hill’s Amie Parnes reports how Musk has provoked a battle among Democrats over how to fight back. It’s worth reading.
Keep in mind: Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.) did acknowledge Musk will likely find “awful examples” of wasteful government spending, but it’s the magnitude and speed of changes that’s worrying some.
How are Republicans feeling about Musk?: Trump has such a grip on the Republican Party that he is not receiving much internal pushback. They’re generally happy about the spending cuts that would come with DOGE. Even some red states are trying to implement their own DOGE-style slashes.
But there’s a limit: Republicans are uncomfortable with the scope of Musk’s power. Some Senate Republicans are questioning the basis of his authority. Plus, recent polling shows that Republican voters are uneasy with some of the changes.
💡Why Musk is prompting such a visceral reaction: He’s an unelected adviser with little familiarity with Washington politics. While many in the MAGA movement specifically appreciate his outside perspective and ability to buck political norms, that experience should also come with an understanding of the factors and countless challenges involved in governing.
What's keeping lawmakers up at night: Musk is singlehandedly trying to dismantle government agencies. Many in Washington are wondering if he has the power to do so, and lawmakers are also concerned his actions could pose a threat to Congress's power of the purse. He’s been handed a top-secret security clearance, but questions remain over full vetting for his team and the broader ramifications of their actions.
Related, via NBC News: ‘Secrecy is becoming a defining trait of Elon Musk's DOGE’
