Musk under scrutiny for government spending plans amidst controversy
Political opponents and government watchdogs have accused Doge of lacking transparency and spreading misinformation regarding government expenditure. Critics also assert that Musk is overstepping his authority as an unelected official.
There are concerns about Musk's potential conflicts of interest, especially considering the substantial contracts his companies have with the US government. Both Trump and Musk deny that any issues will arise from this situation.
Multiple organisations, including unions and state attorneys general, have initiated lawsuits against Doge and the broader Trump administration concerning their plans. Democrats allege that they are interfering with funding sanctioned by Congress that falls outside presidential jurisdiction. In response, the White House has denied any wrongdoing.
The courts have intervened several times to stop the cost-cutting measures, including a direct block on Doge when a judge prohibited the agency from accessing personal data in US Treasury records.
Despite the setbacks, some minor victories have been achieved; a federal judge in Washington DC has permitted Doge's work to continue while the legal proceedings are active.
Musk, during a session with reporters in the Oval Office, acknowledged the likelihood of facing scrutiny for his initiatives, but he asserted that the American public had supported a push for 'common sense' government reform.
However, many pundits are sceptical about Musk's ability to fulfil his ambitious promises.
Elaine Kamark, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, informed the BBC that efforts to make government spending more efficient are feasible, citing her own experiences under President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. However, she critiqued Musk's suggestion of cutting a third of government expenses as 'ridiculous', noting that a large portion of the budget is mandatory and includes widely supported programmes such as Social Security and Medicare.
