After joining United States President Donald Trump’s administration, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk has already begun an unprecedented reshaping of the federal government in the country.
However, a recent article in The New York Times highlighted how Musk’s strong influence on the government may raise concerns over his role as the leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
According to the article, the Tesla and SpaceX owner was the force behind the appointment of a former Pentagon official, Troy Meink, as Trump’s Air Force Secretary.
Meink previously ran the Pentagon’s National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) where he was tasked with “overall day-to-day management of the NRO, with decision responsibility as delegated by the Director,” according to his agency bio, as per Defensescoop.
NRO develops, acquires, launches and operates satellites and ground systems “to see, hear, and sense threats around the world in real time,” according to the organisation’s website.
Additionally, at his previous workplace, Meink helped SpaceX secure a multibillion-dollar contract for a spy satellite network.
Meink’s appointment aligns with Musk’s broader goal of reshaping federal agencies to favour his companies and cost-cutting initiatives.
Furthermore, the article noted that in just two weeks, the Tesla and SpaceX owner’s team managed to gain access to sensitive financial and data systems, circumventing established protocols and sidelining career officials.
“The rapid moves by Mr. Musk, who has a multitude of financial interests before the government, have represented an extraordinary flexing of power by a private individual,” the article stated.
This includes shutdown of key programmes and entire agencies, notably US Agency for International Development (USAID), which plays a crucial role in foreign aid.
His team has also taken control of vital government systems, including the Treasury’s payment infrastructure and the Office of Personnel Management, with plans to rebrand the United States Digital Service as United States DOGE Service.
The article also highlighted that Musk, empowered by Trump, is operating his unprecedented role with substantial autonomy, often bypassing traditional bureaucratic channels.
It noted that the tech billionaire’s vast financial interests, including deep ties with China and significant domestic holdings, raise concerns over conflicts of interest in his role.
Meanwhile, almost four lawsuits were filed to challenge Musk’s authority accusing him of breaching federal laws and overstepping congressional authority.
Furthermore, a Trump official, who was not authorised to speak publicly, told The New York Times that Musk “was widely seen as operating with a level of autonomy that almost no one can control.”
“Musk is working with a frantic, around-the-clock energy familiar to the employees at his various companies, flanked by a cadre of young engineers, drawn in part from Silicon Valley,” the article stated.
“He has moved beds into the headquarters of the federal personnel office a few blocks from the White House, according to a person familiar with the situation, so he and his staff, working late into the night, could sleep there, reprising a tactic he has deployed at Twitter and Tesla.”
