Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
A top US senator has demanded that the White House clarify whether Elon Musk is complying with federal conflict of interest and ethics laws as he leads the Department of Government Efficiency.
Some shit you should know before you read: Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), placing Elon Musk at its helm to overhaul federal bureaucracy and cut wasteful spending. DOGE has aggressively pursued cost-cutting measures, claiming to have uncovered billions in fraud, waste, and abuse across various agencies, largely by using AI-driven audits and restructuring government contracts. Supporters, including many Republicans, argue that Musk’s leadership brings much-needed innovation and private-sector discipline to a bloated federal system. However, critics from both parties have raised concerns over Musk’s sweeping authority, with some Democrats warning of potential conflicts of interest due to his financial ties to companies that benefit from government contracts.
What’s going on now: In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) demanded transparency regarding Elon Musk’s compliance with federal conflict of interest and ethics laws as he leads DOGE while maintaining substantial financial stakes in companies benefiting from government contracts. Citing Musk’s status as a “special government employee,” Schiff said that Musk is legally bound by 18 U.S.C. § 208, which prohibits government officials from participating in matters where they have a financial interest. He wrote, “Mr. Musk’s compliance with federal conflicts of interest and other related obligations remains unknown to Congress and the public.” Schiff questioned whether the White House had granted Musk an ethics waiver or consulted the Office of Government Ethics before his appointment.
Schiff’s letter outlines five key demands, including whether Musk has filed a financial disclosure report, whether he has participated “personally and substantially” in decisions affecting his businesses, and whether the White House has issued any written waivers exempting him from ethics laws. Schiff further warned that Musk’s role raises “significant questions about Mr. Musk’s foreign entanglements” and hinted at forthcoming Senate investigations into other DOGE officials. He set a deadline of February 13, 2025, for the White House to respond.
White House’s position: While Susie Wiles has not responded to Senator Schiff’s letter yet, last week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Elon Musk’s role in the Administration, insisting that he is complying with all applicable ethics laws. Leavitt stated that Musk “will excuse himself” from any decisions involving companies in which he has a financial interest, stressing that he “has abided by all applicable laws” as a special government employee.
