WASHINGTON, D.C. – The growing influence of business tycoon Elon Musk in federal affairs has sparked serious concerns among Democrats. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore of Milwaukee and California Congresswoman Judy Chu recently took bold steps to address the issue directly with House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Their mission? To demand answers about what they see as Musk’s increasing control over sensitive government data and decisions.
A Call for Transparency
Rep. Moore, a member of the Ways and Means Committee—a key player in tax legislation—didn’t mince words. Speaking to the Journal Sentinel, she criticized Musk’s “outsized” influence, particularly during the early days of the Trump administration.
Moore called Musk’s access to Treasury Department data a blatant “power grab,” questioning why a private billionaire donor seems to wield such authority.
On Wednesday, Moore and Chu attempted to address their concerns directly with Speaker Johnson and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a meeting in Johnson’s office. They described their visit on social media as an effort to “DEMAND answers… about sensitive taxpayer information being handed over to an unelected billionaire donor.”
A Heated Exchange
Despite their determination, the pair were met with resistance. According to Johnson’s staff, the two lawmakers “busted into the speaker’s office uninvited” and were initially denied access to the meeting. However, Johnson briefly spoke with them afterward.
In a short interview, Moore expressed her frustration, taking direct aim at Musk:
“Here’s a billionaire, a naturalized citizen, who can just walk in and tell federal employees to step aside. That’s alarming,” she said. “If you want to sell pretzels at the airport, you go through a background check. But apparently, this doesn’t apply when it comes to sensitive government information?”
Musk’s Role in Reshaping Government
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force created under Trump, has been moving rapidly to cut government spending. Recent actions include efforts to eliminate federal jobs and dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, which handles international humanitarian aid.
More controversially, DOGE has gained access to sensitive health care data and the Treasury Department’s federal payment system. Republicans have championed these moves as necessary steps toward reducing government waste, but Democrats like Moore and Chu see it differently.
“Who are these people, and what gives them the right to access such critical information without oversight?” Moore asked.
What’s Next?
The debate surrounding Musk’s role in federal government decisions is far from over. As Democrats push for transparency and accountability, the spotlight remains on how this unprecedented influence will shape the future of government operations.
