Musk defends DOGE’s reforms at the White House

Wednesday 12 February 2025 - 09:35

Elon Musk made a rare public appearance at the White House to advocate for the extensive federal workforce reductions he is spearheading, despite rising concerns over transparency and accountability.

Standing beside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Musk, accompanied by his four-year-old son, received praise for his role in the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump signed an executive order granting Musk further authority to streamline the federal government, requiring DOGE’s approval for most new hires.

Wearing a "Make America Great Again" cap, Musk described DOGE’s actions as "common sense" rather than extreme, arguing that the federal bureaucracy had become an "unelected" governing body with more power than elected officials. "The people voted for major government reform, and that’s exactly what they will get," he asserted.

Concerns over reduced oversight intensified after the inspector general of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was dismissed, just a day after warning that DOGE’s restructuring had severely hindered the monitoring of billions in humanitarian aid.

Musk insisted that DOGE was providing updates through its website and social media, though critics pointed out the lack of specific details on budget cuts and affected programs. When confronted about misinformation regarding US spending on international aid, he admitted to occasional inaccuracies, stating, "Some of the things I say will be incorrect and should be corrected."

Defending himself against transparency concerns, Musk maintained that he welcomed scrutiny. "I expect to be held fully accountable," he said. His companies, which hold lucrative government contracts, have raised alarms that DOGE’s operations could grant him unprecedented access to financial systems within the US Treasury.

The move toward large-scale layoffs follows earlier efforts by the Trump administration to offer federal employees buyouts—an initiative halted by a federal judge. Both Musk and Trump criticized judicial interference, with Musk labeling it a "judicial coup" and Trump suggesting a reassessment of the judiciary’s role.

"We want to eliminate corruption, and it’s hard to believe that a judge would oppose that," Trump remarked. "Maybe we need to take a closer look at the judges."