After joining US President Donald Trump’s administration, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has already begun reshaping the country’s federal government.
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, Musk, the owner of Tesla and SpaceX, was the driving force behind the appointment of former Pentagon official Troy Meink as Trump’s Air Force Secretary.
Meink previously ran the Pentagon’s National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), where he was responsible for “overall day-to-day management of the NRO, with decision responsibility as delegated by the Director,” according to his agency bio, as per Defensescoop.
Additionally, at his previous job, 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 favor his companies and cost-cutting initiatives.
Furthermore, the article noted that within just two weeks, Musk’s team gained access to sensitive financial and data systems, bypassing 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 the shutdown of key programs and entire agencies, notably the 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 raised concerns that Musk’s vast financial interests, including deep ties with China and significant domestic holdings, could lead to 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 authorized 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.”
