Elon Musk’s expanding influence raises alarms over government oversight

Billionaire Elon Musk has rapidly expanded his influence within the U.S. government, triggering concerns among constitutional scholars and Democratic leaders. Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Musk, now leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has implemented sweeping changes without congressional oversight. These moves have disrupted federal operations, paused foreign aid activities, flagged numerous federal jobs as redundant, accessed classified information, and seized control over key government payment systems.

Although recently appointed as a "special government employee," Musk holds no elected office and is not part of the presidential Cabinet, which typically requires Senate confirmation. This unprecedented level of authority has raised ethical concerns, especially given Musk’s extensive business ties through companies like Tesla and SpaceX, both reliant on government contracts. Legal experts argue that Musk’s dual role poses potential conflicts of interest, as federal ethics rules, though applicable, may be loosely enforced.

Critics question whether the Department of Justice, under Trump's administration, will hold Musk accountable for potential ethical violations. Additionally, his task force’s control over the federal payment system has led to legal challenges from government worker unions, citing privacy breaches affecting millions of Americans.

Prominent political figures have condemned Musk’s role, labeling it as an undemocratic power grab. Accusations of orchestrating a “plutocratic coup” and establishing an “unelected shadow government” have surfaced, with lawmakers urging Musk to seek public office if he desires political influence. Legal scholars warn that Musk’s unchecked authority poses a constitutional risk, as his power seems limited only by the president’s discretion.

While Trump maintains that Musk operates under his administration’s supervision, experts argue that this arrangement represents an unprecedented challenge to traditional governance norms and legal safeguards in the U.S.