January 31st, 2025

Elon Musk is reportedly taking control of the inner workings of US govt agencies

Elon Musk's team is influencing U.S. government agencies, causing tensions and a Treasury official's departure. They seek access to sensitive payment systems, restricting civil servants' access to critical data.

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Elon Musk is reportedly taking control of the inner workings of US govt agencies

Elon Musk is reportedly exerting significant influence over various U.S. government agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management and the Treasury Department. According to a report from The Washington Post, tensions have arisen between Musk's team, operating under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and high-ranking officials at the Treasury, leading to the departure of a key official. Musk's aides have sought access to sensitive payment systems that manage over $6 trillion annually, which has raised concerns about potential disruptions to federal funding. Additionally, reports indicate that Musk's team has restricted access for career civil servants to critical computer systems containing personal data of federal employees. The situation mirrors the chaotic management style observed during Musk's acquisition of Twitter. Originally intended as an advisory body to recommend spending cuts, DOGE has transformed into a direct operational entity within the government, with Musk reportedly having an office in the West Wing. This unprecedented level of control raises questions about governance and the implications of private sector influence on public administration.

- Elon Musk's team is reportedly taking control of multiple U.S. government agencies.

- Tensions have led to the departure of a high-ranking Treasury official.

- Musk's aides are seeking access to sensitive federal payment systems.

- Career civil servants have been locked out of critical computer systems.

- The Department of Government Efficiency has shifted from advisory to operational control.

Link Icon 8 comments
By @tayo42 - 3 months
No one voted for him. Hes not american. What can be done? Amazing these absolutely insane things are happening.
By @ajuc - 3 months
Create a system in which politicians have to suck up to rich people to win elections.

Wonder why you get oligarchy as a result.

If anything it's a miracle it's only becoming explicit now. The whole system was held by spit and glue.

In many countries parties are funded from taxes (proportionally to the results of the last elections). People/corporations paying politicians is illegal. Politicians don't have to compete for billioners' money - they just compete for votes.

It's pretty obvious it's a better system. It wastes less money too (there's a cap to the marketing arms race).

By @bediger4000 - 3 months
How is this legal?
By @allkindsof - 3 months
Can we get this unflagged?
By @breadwinner - 3 months
Elon Musk was not elected, and his appointment was not confirmed by the senate. And yet he is taking control of the government.

Since Musk took over Twitter it is worth nearly 80% less than when he bought it, according to Fidelity [1]. Is this what he is going to do to the US government?

[1] https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/02/business/elon-musk-twitter-x-...

By @ChrisArchitect - 3 months
Related:

Musk aides lock government workers out of computer systems at US agency

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42892278

Elon Musk's Doge Wants Access to the Treasury's Payment Systems

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42894166

By @ty6853 - 3 months
Trump and his brethren are out for blood after the 34 felonies and the assassination attempt. Hope the attempt at 'rule of law' (and sentence of basically nothing) for rarely prosecuted paperwork crimes was worth it because it's looking like the most costly prosecution in US history in terms of after effects.