Tech billionaire and “special government employee” Elon Musk has been reminded by the White House that he needs to report to the chief of staff despite his wide-ranging powers to make changes in the federal government quickly. Trump has indicated that Musk is still a staffer and must answer to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Musk, who has a friendly relationship with Wiles, is in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency and has been given unprecedented access to government systems to modernize and downsize the workforce.
Musk’s efforts have led to significant changes in the federal government, including persuading thousands of federal employees to take deferred resignations and pushing to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development. Despite his success in disrupting government operations, some view Musk as a shadow president, with concerns about his level of influence and the potential for retaliation for voicing dissenting opinions.
The Justice Department has also stepped in to protect the engineers working with Musk on his DOGE effort, threatening prosecution for those who expose their identities. Musk responded to this warning on social media, making it clear that he is not to be crossed.
Overall, Musk’s rapid pace in reforming the government has drawn praise for his willingness to make necessary changes, but there are concerns about his level of authority and the potential repercussions for those who oppose his actions. Despite his power and influence, the reminder from the White House that he must follow a chain of command underscores that his authority is not unchecked.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.