Elon Musk refused to lead the US government’s “disgusting occupation” and defended plans to cut his cost because he appeared for the first time in the White House on Tuesday.
The richest man in the world raised questions from reporters at the Oval Office when he was standing with President Donald Trump, who has given him the responsibility of reducing the size and costs of the federal government.
Then Trump signed the order to give Musk Government Performance (DOGE) More authority to reduce federal manpower. He directed the heads of government agencies to comply with the Dodge.
The agency has been criticized by the Democrats who have accused it of lacking transparency, and its efforts have also been obstructed by legal challenges.
But Musk, who was questioned for the first time since Trump took office last month, called the government a “general understanding” actions that are “not Draconians or fundamentalists”.
“People voted in favor of major reforms of the government and are going to get the same,” he said. “This is democracy.”
Billionaire technology businessman, who was self -appointed and not elected, described federal workers as “unprecedented, fourth, unconstitutional branch of the government.” There is more power than any elected representative.
The 53 -year -old owner of Tesla, X and Space X wore a cap of the United States once again and occasionally cracked with reporters who asked him about his critics. He had his own young son, whom Trump introduced for some part of a news conference on his shoulders.
“It is not optional for us to reduce federal spending,” said Musk. It is important for the United States to be a solvent as a country. “
Musk was also asked about the recent false claims that the US government was sending millions of dollars worth of condoms to Gaza. “Some things I say will be wrong and it should be corrected,” Musk replied.
In the first weeks of Trump’s term, Kasturi has offered to shrink the federal government rapidly. DOGE representatives have enrolled in various departments to monitor costs, presented millions of workers an external route and freeze federal funding as well as US Agency for International Development (USAID) He also frozen the work of the agencies.
Trump said of Musk’s work on Tuesday, without providing evidence, “We faced fraud and abuse.” It has estimated that useless costs will reveal more than $ 1 trillion, though no further details have been given.
Opponents, including senior Democrats and who say it will be important at the United States and internationally.
“An unelected Shadow government is occupying the federal government,” Senate minority leader Chuck Shammer said recently. He said that the Democrats would work to prevent Musk’s efforts by introducing a specific language in the spending bills.
But the Republicans have won a majority in both Houses of Congress, with Trump’s agenda facing more pressure in the courtroom.
“I hope the judicial system will allow us to do our job,” Trump cited recent decisions on Tuesday, saying that his efforts to shrink the government temporarily stopped, Including an employee by -out program.
Dodge critics have also pointed to the potential conflicts of interest in view of many Musk’s business interests. Democrats have accused the Trump administration of trying to personally benefit from some of the changes in the Trump administration.
Musk said that the public can adopt their views on potential disputes. Then Trump said that if the White House thought that there was a lack of transparency or there was a dispute of interest, “we would not allow it to do this class or to see it in the area”.
Trump then signed an executive order instructing “significantly” to reduce the size of the federal manpower. The order also demanded the government offices to “start a massive reduction project”.
It also states that once Trump signed the end of his first day after being frozen on a job, agencies should not hire more than one person for every four.
Recent survey of BBC American partner CBS News Indicated that the majority of Americans are in favor of Musk’s work, but it does not agree to how much influence it should have.
It especially supported the Republican’s efforts to reduce federal spending and foreign aid.
The survey indicates a widespread rating for Trump’s policies, however, about 66 % of people said they wanted to focus more on reducing prices.
One of the agencies that has been most affected by the cost -cut drive is USAID.
On Tuesday, the agency’s Inspector General was fired – a day after the release of the agency’s staff on vacation and criticizing plans to stop US -backed aid programs around the world. After the day
