NW Dems object, GOP mute on USAID orders

Northwest Democrats lodged vigorous objections while Idaho’s Congressional delegation stayed mum as Elon Musk and his associates took breathtaking steps to control and influence federal agencies Monday.

According to news reports, Musk, with the blessing of President Donald Trump, shut down at least temporarily the United States Agency for International Development. A cadre of Musk loyalists working under the banner of the “Department of Government Efficiency” has reportedly been installed at the Office of Personnel Management and locked senior civil servants out of the agency’s computer system. Other reports indicate Musk and his “DOGE” team have been given access to the U.S. Treasury Department’s payment system that is akin to the federal government’s checkbook.

Democrats called Musk’s actions illegal and used words like “coup” and “constitutional crises.”

Sen. Patty Murray, of Washington, called the moves blatantly corrupt and Sen. Ron Wyden, of Oregon, described the associated security risks a “prescription for nightmares.”

“Let’s not mince words here. An unelected, unaccountable billionaire with expansive conflicts of interest, deep ties to China and an indiscreet axe to grind against perceived enemies is hijacking our nation’s most sensitive financial data systems and its checkbook so that he can illegally block funds to our constituents based on the slightest whim or wildest conspiracy,” Murray said during a news conference.

If there are any legal or ethical questions surrounding Musk’s maneuverings, Republicans don’t appear to be asking them. Members of the Idaho delegation — Sen. Mike Crapo, Sen. Jim Risch, Rep. Russ Fulcher and Rep. Mike Simpson — largely did not respond to questions asking if they support the actions of Musk, Trump and “DOGE,” or if they believe any of the actions may infringe on the Constitutional duties and authorities of Congress.

Crapo, through his communications director Melanie B. Lawhorn, declined to “weigh in at the moment.” Risch, Fulcher and Simpson did not respond at all. All four Republicans are frequent critics of federal government overreach and strong backers of the president.

While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Musk can do what he wants and dismissed concerns about conflicts of interest related to Musk’s access to government information and his government contracts.

“Where we think there’s a conflict or there’s a problem, we won’t let him go near it, but he has some very good ideas,” Trump said.

Musk contributed a reported $250 million to support Trump’s election. The president has put him in charge of “DOGE” — a special commission charged with slashing federal spending and classified him as a special government employee. However, it is unclear what legal authority the commission or Musk himself actually has. Despite its name, it is not an official department or agency of the federal government.

Musk and his companies have several contracts with the federal government and he may have significant conflicts of interest when it comes to accessing government information and influencing how money is spent on projects involving his and his competitors’ companies.

The U.S. Agency for International Aid was created by the Foreign Assistance Act in 1961 that was signed by President John F. Kennedy. It operates under a budget approved by Congress.

While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office Trump dismissed concerns about conflicts of interest related to Musk’s access and his government contracts.

“Elon can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.

Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com. Communicate with him on Signal, an encrypted messaging app, at ericbarker.67.