Elon Musk is President Trump’s wrecking ball. It remains unclear what “position” Musk has been given, although actions by Musk and his growing staff (at least 40+) suggest that Trump has given him “authority” to go to any and all federal government offices, fire people, get access to computer systems, and freeze or pause programs or funding. These actions exceed the original expectation that he would be analyzing and giving advice.
Despite the idea that DOGE is supposed to be focused on government inefficiency using volunteers, as of February 4, 2025, $6.75 million had been apportioned to DOGE. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) observed that this was “nearly twice the annual salaries and expenses budget of the White House”. By February 12, the budget had more than doubled to $14.4 million.
Inefficient Methodology: Act First, Ask Questions Later
In addition to the cost, its methodology is inefficient. Firing people and closing down part or all of an agency before studying what the agency’s mission is and how programs do or do not contribute to the agency’s mission is wasteful.
This past weekend (Friday evening 2/14/25 – Monday 2/17/25), the FAA has been firing between 300-400 staff employees. Supposedly that did not include air traffic controllers – the agency has had a shortage of controllers for some time. Yet, after the fact, we read, “In a follow-up query, the agency said they would have to look into whether the radar, landing and navigational aid workers affected were considered to handle critical safety functions.” In other words, DOGE acted without thinking. Further to that, among those fired was a group working with the Defense Department on a missile shield for Hawaii. There was no chance for those fired (“for efficiency”) to pass on the knowledge or work-product. The wrecking ball impacts not just airport safety, but national security too!
Officials fired more than 300 staffers at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Thursday night (2/13/25) — that’s the agency tasked with managing the nation’s nuclear stockpile! It was done as part of broader Energy Department layoffs. Sources told CNN the officials did not seem to know this agency oversees America’s nuclear weapons. On Friday, officials were desperately trying to rehire some of these critical people.
The worst example was the complete destruction of the USAID agency, responsible for a number humanitarian projects around the world. Foreign aid of any kind is seen as a negative by many Americans. USAID represents less than 1% of the federal budget. If anything, it should be more! From a national security point of view, it is considered “soft power” – showing kindness… to gain influence. The best example from history is the Marshall Plan which helped prevent the spread of Soviet communism into western Europe. China is competing worldwide for influence using extensive foreign aid (free building projects, devastating loans, and more). My wife was touring southern Africa including a short distance flight to a small modern airport built by China. Local people expressed pride for the airport and gratitude to China. China has done this throughout Africa and around the world.
When USAID was shut down and all workers fired, locals found their HIV clinics or other health facilities shuttered, building projects cancelled, etc. What a disastrous loss of influence. What opportunities given to China! I doubt that the 20-something tech bros working for Musk even know the criticality of foreign aid. What courses have they had in history, political science, and international affairs?
I fear that Xi and Putin are rejoicing in the chaos and destruction Musk is creating.
Why is Trump letting Musk destroy the government?
Let’s remember that Musk donated $290 million to Donald Trump’s election campaign. And that Musk suggested the idea that he could help the government save 1 trillion dollars, if Trump wanted him to do that. If successful, Trump could more easily get Congress to accept more tax cuts for the rich and for corporations.
And, why is Musk giving Trump so much money and volunteering to “look for efficiencies” in our government? Musk owns six main businesses. All of which are regulated by various government agencies like the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) which looks after the interests of unions and those trying to form a workers’s union. Or the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) which looks after the interests of consumers. In fact, At least 11 federal agencies that have been affected by the DOGE Wrecking Ball have more than 32 continuing investigations, pending complaints or enforcement actions into Mr. Musk’s six companies, according to a review by The New York Times. The NYTimes illustration below gives the main reason for Musk’s involvement and the clear demonstration of a conflict of interest — or super-gigantic ethical failing — that is taking place.
The View of a Nobel Prize Winning Economist, Paul Krugman
Our Government Is Experiencing a “Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly”: Musk is moving fast and breaking important things
Last month SpaceX carried out a test launch of its in-development Starship rocket. Liftoff was achieved, but as the company later announced, “Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn.” In other words, it exploded.
It would be wrong to think of this explosion as a disaster; new products often experience failures during testing. That is, after all, why we test them. Still, the euphemistic language reeks of unwillingness to take responsibility and admit that things didn’t go as planned. But then again, what would you expect from a company owned by Elon Musk?
And here’s the thing: If a rocket blows up, you can build a new rocket and try again. “Move fast and break things” is sometimes an OK approach if the things in question are just hardware, which can be replaced. But what if the object that experiences “rapid unscheduled disassembly” is something whose continued functioning is crucial to people’s lives — say, something like the U.S. government?
This isn’t a hypothetical question…. continue reading here.
The View of a Comedian-Commentator, John Oliver
Trump 2.0: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – February 17, 2025
Related Resources:
1) The meme at the top says, “It is unlawful.” Yet Trump claimed on Saturday, February 15 that he was above the law. Fact: The Constitution remains the supreme law of the land. It gives many specific powers to Congress that President Trump and the entire DOGE project ignores.
2) As of Friday, February 14, 68 lawsuits had been filed to attempt to stop many of the terrible impacts of Trump’s lawless wrecking ball. In this presentation, Attorney Michael Popok takes a deep dive into the growing scandal surrounding the Trump Administration 7 prosecutors who have quit to protest Trump cutting a corrupt deal with NYC’s Mayor Adams; he looks carefully at the 68 lawsuits and 19 injunctions in the first 3 weeks of the Administration and what it means for the future; JD Vance being celebrated by Russian TV for his attack of our democratic European allies; and so much more at the intersection of law and politics.