Democrats just won’t stop crying.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) recently criticized billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk for his efforts to streamline federal government operations, arguing that some of Musk’s actions are “illegal” and “unconstitutional.” Sanders appeared on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” to discuss Musk’s push to reduce government inefficiencies and target waste, fraud, and bureaucracy within federal agencies.
While Sanders acknowledged that eliminating waste within the government is important, he argued that Musk’s approach is crossing legal boundaries. “There’s nothing wrong with trying to identify waste in government, especially in areas like the Department of Defense,” Sanders said. “But what Musk is doing is fundamentally wrong, and it’s a violation of the law.”
Musk’s team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been making significant changes to federal agencies since the early days of President Trump’s administration. Critics have raised concerns about the legality of some of Musk’s decisions. For example, Musk’s efforts to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by locking federal employees out of the agency and restricting its operations have drawn scrutiny. The agency, funded annually through appropriations bills, is a critical part of U.S. foreign aid and diplomacy.
Sanders emphasized that any changes to an agency like USAID need to go through Congress, not be done unilaterally by a private individual or executive. “If Musk wants to abolish an agency, he needs to come to Congress and make his case. You can’t just bypass the legislative process.”
Furthermore, Sanders voiced concern over the growing influence of wealthy individuals like Musk in American politics, especially in light of Musk’s substantial financial contributions to former President Trump’s 2024 campaign. He argued that the combination of Trump’s administration and Musk’s actions signals the rise of an oligarchic system, where the interests of the ultra-wealthy are prioritized over the needs of ordinary Americans.