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WIKI COMMONS Protests against the Elon Musk Dept. of Government Efficiency springs up nationwide. |
OPINION
A coup is happening and most Americans don't even know the United States' democracy is under attack.
"An unelected shadow government is conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government," a post on Democratic New York Sen. Chuck Schumer's X account states, echoing remarks the lawmaker made during a press conference.
Through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, is Elon Musk getting the private information of millions of American taxpayers and Social Security beneficiaries?
That's a question that so-far has gone unanswered after Musk employeess, we don't even know of the workers of DOGE are government employees or part of Musk's private squad of techies?
That leads to the next question: What will DOGE/Musk do with that information? Who is looking over their shoulders to make sure they don't misuse the financial information for nefarious reasons, like lining the pockets of private billionaires?
Musk was quick to respond on X: “Hysterical reactions like this is how you know that DOGE is doing work that really matters.”
Members of Congress joining the protest, including Maxine Waters, Al Green, Ayanna Pressley, and senators Chuck Schumer, Jeff Merkley and Richard Blumenthal. JRep. asmine Crockett, D-Texas, addressed the demonstrators: “We are not going to sit around while you go and desecrate our constitution. We are going to be in your face and on your asses!”
Blumenthal stated what many fear: “Every American’s information is at risk. What does Elon Musk do with everything he touches? He makes money!”
"An unelected shadow government is conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government," a post on Democratic New York Sen. Chuck Schumer's X account states, echoing remarks the lawmaker made during a press conference.
Through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, is Elon Musk getting the private information of millions of American taxpayers and Social Security beneficiaries?
That's a question that so-far has gone unanswered after Musk employeess, we don't even know of the workers of DOGE are government employees or part of Musk's private squad of techies?
That leads to the next question: What will DOGE/Musk do with that information? Who is looking over their shoulders to make sure they don't misuse the financial information for nefarious reasons, like lining the pockets of private billionaires?
The ethos of the new technology: "move fast and break things," is running smackdab into the government's complicated and sometimes plodding process of gathering 360-degree input from interested parties including the public, which is designed to counter backroom deals by ensuring transparency.
"DOGE is not a real government agency," Schumer continued. "DOGE has no authority to make spending decisions. DOGE has no authority to shut programs down or to ignore federal law. DOGE’s conduct cannot be allowed to stand. Congress must take action to restore the rule of law."
"DOGE is not a real government agency," Schumer continued. "DOGE has no authority to make spending decisions. DOGE has no authority to shut programs down or to ignore federal law. DOGE’s conduct cannot be allowed to stand. Congress must take action to restore the rule of law."
Elon Musk’s DOGE efforts to slash government waste and streamline the federal bureaucracy include the hiring of several up-and-coming young software engineers tasked with "modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity."
Two of the six men, who are between the ages of 19 and 24, are Asian Americans, Akash Bobba and Ethan Shaotran. One of them, Edward Coristine, is a recent high school graduate is only 19 years old. The others given almost unlimted power and access to sensitive information are Luke Farritor, Gautier Cole Killian, andGavin Kliger.
The six young men's bios tell us how brilliant they are in technology, but not their knowledge of government processes. Being smart does not necessarily mean one is automatically wise or discerning.
The six young men are one part of the more wide ranging goal of Musk's people taking over key government positions. Already, Musk’s lackeys—including more senior staff from xAI, Tesla, and the Boring Company—have taken control of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and General Services Administration (GSA), and have gained access to the Treasury Department’s payment system, potentially allowing him access to a vast range of sensitive information about tens of millions of citizens, businesses, and more, reports Wired magazine.
“To the extent these individuals are exercising what would otherwise be relatively significant managerial control over two very large agencies that deal with very complex topics,” Nick Bednar, a professor at University of Minnesota’s school of law, tells Wired. “it is very unlikely they have the expertise to understand either the law or the administrative needs that surround these agencies.”
"DOGE is fulfilling President Trump’s commitment to making government more accountable, efficient and, most importantly, restoring proper stewardship of the American taxpayer’s hard-earned dollars," a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
"Those leading this mission with Elon Musk are doing so in full compliance with federal law, appropriate security clearances and as employees of the relevant agencies, not as outside advisors or entities," the spokesperson continued. "The ongoing operations of DOGE may be seen as disruptive by those entrenched in the federal bureaucracy, who resist change. While change can be uncomfortable, it is necessary and aligns with the mandate supported by more than 77 million American voters."
"DOGE is fulfilling President Trump’s commitment to making government more accountable, efficient and, most importantly, restoring proper stewardship of the American taxpayer’s hard-earned dollars," a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
"Those leading this mission with Elon Musk are doing so in full compliance with federal law, appropriate security clearances and as employees of the relevant agencies, not as outside advisors or entities," the spokesperson continued. "The ongoing operations of DOGE may be seen as disruptive by those entrenched in the federal bureaucracy, who resist change. While change can be uncomfortable, it is necessary and aligns with the mandate supported by more than 77 million American voters."
Democrats don't have the votes in either chamber of Congress, the Supreme Court has six solidly extreme conservative Justices and with Trump and Musk ignoring lawsuits and violating the Constitution purging the government of independent thinkers, it appears that the US is moving towards an authoritarian regime.
Thankfully, there are signs that the resistance to Trump's and Musk's actions is growing.
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On Sunday, CNN reported that DOGE personnel attempted to improperly access classified information and security systems at the US Agency for International Development and that top USAID security officials who thwarted the attempt were subsequently put on leave. The Associated Press reported that DOGE personnel had indeed accessed classified material.
On Monday, (Feb. 3) Democrats staged a protest outside USAID.The next day about a thousand people, including a dozen members of Congress, staged a protest outside the Treasury Department's offices against DOGE's questionable actions.
On the same day, a loosely organized protest, Day Without Immigrants, was held with demonstrations scattered across the country to draw opposition against Trump's mass deportations. Protesters closed roads and some businesses closed as acts of sympathy.
On Wednesday, rallies were held across the US at state capitols drawing thousands of demonstrator protesting Trump's executive orders that temporarily halted federal grants, the withholding of funding for USAID projects around the world basically neutralizing the US efforts to counter China's growing influence in the world through its Belt and Road initiative.
Members of Congress joining the protest, including Maxine Waters, Al Green, Ayanna Pressley, and senators Chuck Schumer, Jeff Merkley and Richard Blumenthal. JRep. asmine Crockett, D-Texas, addressed the demonstrators: “We are not going to sit around while you go and desecrate our constitution. We are going to be in your face and on your asses!”
Blumenthal stated what many fear: “Every American’s information is at risk. What does Elon Musk do with everything he touches? He makes money!”
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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