After nearly three weeks in the minority, Democrats have focused their attention on Elon Musk, criticizing his role in the Department of Government Efficiency. This week, Democrats have taken various actions to oppose Musk's influence, including rallying at agencies impacted by his policies, holding press conferences, and introducing legislation to counter the administration's efforts to eliminate agencies and reduce federal employees.
Democrats view Musk as an 'unelected billionaire' and a symbol of billionaire influence in the Trump administration. A recent poll showed that a majority of voters disapprove of Musk's prominent role, with Democrats expressing the highest level of disapproval.
Democrats have raised concerns about Musk's aggressive approach to scaling back the federal government, particularly his efforts to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development and reduce the size of the government by incentivizing federal workers to quit. Critics have also highlighted potential risks associated with Musk's associates having access to sensitive financial data.
Senator Bernie Sanders criticized the administration's unilateral actions to gut programs, calling them illegal and unconstitutional. Democrats have pushed for more oversight into Musk's activities, with some lawmakers attempting to subpoena him.
While the White House has defended Musk's actions as compliant with federal law, Democrats remain skeptical and continue to question the lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
Despite facing pushback from Republicans, Democrats remain steadfast in their opposition to Musk's influence, with some viewing him as a threat to government accountability and the well-being of American workers. Organized labor groups have also launched campaigns to hold Musk accountable and amplify the voices of workers impacted by the administration's policies.
