Elon Musk Hollows Government So Trump Can Refill It

Looking back, it all makes sense.

First, he fired the internal watchdogs. Only four days after taking office, Donald Trump fired at least 17 inspectors general in a way that defied the law and commonsense. At the time people asked: Why start with them? Why not give Congress 30 days notice as required by law? What was the rush?

We now know the answer. Trump has empowered Elon Musk and his gang to rummage through sensitive databases and access critical information in key federal agencies and departments. They have reportedly gained complete access to the Treasury Departments payment system — a system with detailed information on nearly everyone who has received payments from the federal government. And, presumably, the ability to decide who to pay and who to stiff.

We cannot ignore how shockingly abnormal it is for a private citizen — who himself has contracts with the federal government — to dispatch a private army of executives, data experts and recent high schoolers to dictate policies to federal agencies. 

None of this would be possible without protection from law enforcement. But career officials at the FBI and DOJ have been sidelined. Some have been fired, others reassigned or forced into retirement. Those that remain understandably fear for their jobs. 

While the aggressive attacks on federal agencies might normally raise an eyebrow at the Department of Justice or warrant an inquiry from the FBI, all heads are turned away for fear that even a glance at what Musk is doing might anger those in charge.

In more than 30 lawsuits filed against the new administration — including involving Musk’s activities — the government has not won one on the merits.

Alongside all of this is the systematic purge of the nonpartisan federal workforce. From voluntary buyouts to involuntary administrative leave, the people who keep our government working are being cajoled to depart. If they don’t, mass firings will not be far behind.

Musk may believe he is doing all of this to cut the size of the government. But that is not Trump’s plan. He is not a fiscal hawk. He doesn’t care about government deficits. He wants the federal government hollowed out of nonpartisan employees so that he can refill it with political cronies and loyalists. Musk may be a happy hatchet man thinking he is reshaping the government. But for Trump he is a useful tool to help allow Trump to restaff it.

Having sidelines law enforcement, Musk is unchecked. His whim has taken on the force of law within the federal government. Only the courts stand in his way. And so far, they are holding.

In more than 30 lawsuits filed against the new administration — including involving Musk’s activities — the government has not won one on the merits.

Not all have yet been decided, but enough have been ruled upon to see that the courts are not nearly as passive as congressional Republicans.

The courts are standing up to protect the rule of law — even as Trump finds new schemes to evade it. A constellation of groups has led the way in quickly identifying the law breaking and filing smart, fast lawsuits. Judges are scheduling fast hearings and issuing decisive rulings. The question is how long this can sustain itself and what will be left of the government when it ends.

Soon democracy will be dealt another blow. Pam Bondi was confirmed as attorney general earlier this week. Kash Patel will soon take the helm of the FBI. I have written before that their confirmations will usher in a new era of political investigations and prosecutions. It will likely also mean that the protection racket surrounding Musk’s endeavors will now include federal law enforcement.

The newly created vacancies in the DOJ and at the FBI will be quickly filed by people who will no longer simply look the other way but will be eager to help Musk accomplish his goals. The threat to those trying to resist these efforts or hold them accountable will grow over time.

I wish I could tell you that in the end it will all work out. We are in a period of backsliding for the rule of law and government on the merits. Authoritarianism and crony capitalism is ascendant.

But this is no time to give up. It is a time to stand taller and firmer in our commitment to defending democracy. That is what I will do. It is what Democracy Docket was created to do. I hope you will join us.