Congress Questions Musk's Authority Over USAID, Federal Spending

Billionaire Elon Musk's recent appointment to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump has sparked significant controversy among lawmakers. Critics, primarily from the Democratic party, argue that Musk's actions, including locking federal workers out of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and accessing sensitive government data, represent an unprecedented overreach of power by an unelected official. Republican Senators, while acknowledging the need to cut government spending, have also expressed concerns regarding the legality of Musk's authority to reorganize federal agencies without proper notification to Congress. Lawmakers like Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have questioned whether Trump’s authorization grants Musk the power to override congressional funding decisions. As Democrats prepare to challenge these maneuvers through legislation and potential legal actions, the situation continues to evolve, with many fearing implications for privacy and government oversight. Overall, the tensions highlight a growing rift in Washington over the balance of power between elected officials and appointed positions.