Elon Musk Defends Cost-Cutting Mission in the US Government
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Politics
February 12, 2025 06:30
washington, usa - Elon Musk faces resistance as he defends his cost-cutting operation in the US government, accompanied by his son in a remarkable press conference with Donald Trump.
Elon Musk's Defense on Cost-Cutting Operation
Elon Musk defends his mission to cut costs in the US federal government, facing resistance from Democratic politicians, officials, and interest groups. Musk labels the federal bureaucracy as an 'unelected, unconstitutional' power that exceeds elected parliamentarians in authority.
Musk, joined by his 'nerds army' of young prodigies from the Department of Government Efficiency, is scrutinizing federal spending and facing conflicts over access to sensitive systems and freezing of funds. The Trump administration justifies these measures to streamline the federal bureaucracy and control spending, despite unproven allegations of bureaucratic fraud and corruption.
With federal lawsuits challenging Trump's decrees, Musk's team faces restrictions on accessing Treasury Department payment systems and court-ordered immediate payouts to states from frozen funds. The presence of Musk's young 'nerds army' in high government circles has sparked further tensions, prompting calls to ignore judicial rulings hindering the dismantling of established interests.
One focal point of Musk's efficiency department is USAID, where Musk hinted at the swift resumption of disease prevention funding, admitting errors in halting a $6 billion portion of the $43 billion expenditure. The Trump administration's rejection of inclusive development aid programs funded by USAID has led to staff layoffs and a shift in the agency's focus.