Obama is not happy with what Trump and Musk are doing.
Former White House ethics advisor Norm Eisen has made strong claims that President Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk’s new initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), are breaking the law.
In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Eisen, who served in the Obama administration, was asked to weigh in on remarks Musk made during a visit to the Oval Office with Trump. Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, asserted that he would determine any conflicts of interest himself as he worked within the federal government. Eisen quickly shot down this idea, emphasizing that ethical guidelines are designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that government officials serve the public, not their personal interests.
According to Eisen, “Ethics laws exist to prevent individuals from using their government roles for personal gain.” He pointed out that Musk’s actions, such as cutting staff from government agencies investigating his business interests, raise serious concerns. Eisen also questioned the transparency of Musk’s financial dealings, suggesting that the billionaire’s connections to multiple industries, including those that rely on government contracts, make the situation even murkier.
Musk has pushed back against these concerns, defending the moves of DOGE during a press conference. Despite criticism from liberal circles, Musk reiterated that the American people voted for reform, and that DOGE’s work is an example of that democratic process. “This is what democracy looks like,” he said, emphasizing his belief in sweeping changes to government efficiency.
Musk, who also owns the social media platform X, has faced legal pushback as some of Trump’s executive orders have been temporarily blocked by the courts. Musk has suggested that Congress should consider impeaching the judges who are delaying his reform agenda. With a conservative majority in the Supreme Court, the future of these legal challenges remains uncertain.
Eisen, however, didn’t hold back in criticizing the unprecedented nature of Trump and Musk’s collaboration, claiming, “You have a president with 34 criminal charges, and no wonder he’s pleased with Musk. They’re breaking the law at every turn.”