Doge cuts spark questions as employees supporting Musk space launches spared
a day ago
- #SpaceX
- #Elon Musk
- #Government Ethics
- Elon Musk's 'Department of Government Efficiency' (Doge) and the Trump administration spared US Department of Transportation (DOT) jobs supporting SpaceX and Starlink launches, raising conflict of interest concerns.
- The DOT's FY2025 budget reveals funding for roles critical to commercial space operations, including SpaceX, while other positions face cuts.
- Critics argue Musk is preserving federal jobs that benefit his companies, highlighting bias in workforce reductions.
- Musk's broader agenda includes slashing 75% of the federal workforce, allegedly steering contracts to his firms and targeting regulatory agencies like the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.
- The DOT budget allocates $21M and 38 full-time positions for commercial space transportation, including air traffic control for SpaceX launches.
- SpaceX's frequent launches have strained FAA resources, with 80% of overtime attributed to supporting Musk's operations.
- The budget also includes $400M for pipeline safety, ensuring hazardous materials (like spacecraft fuel) are transported securely.
- Cybersecurity roles within DOT are retained, indirectly protecting Musk's government-used systems.
- Public Citizen supports Senator Elizabeth Warren's legislation to tighten conflict-of-interest rules for 'special government employees' like Musk.