Elon Musk's Expansive Power in Government

Elon Musk has gained significant power and influence within the federal government, operating largely unaccountable due to the unique authority granted to him by the Trump administration. He has taken charge of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with shrinking the federal bureaucracy, and has integrated a cohort of his Silicon Valley associates into key positions within various agencies. Musk's approach includes disruptive tactics such as demanding access to sensitive systems and conducting abrupt interviews with federal employees, which fosters a climate of fear and uncertainty. This aggressive strategy mimics his private-sector methods at Tesla and SpaceX, applying a high-stakes risk-taking ethos to government operations, which has raised concerns about the impact on governance and civil service stability.