Sherrill Demands Investigations Into Elon Musk’s Extensive Conflicts of Interest and Self-Dealing

Representative Mikie Sherrill from New Jersey is spearheading efforts to investigate Elon Musk’s vast conflicts of interest and self-dealing within federal agencies. In a bold move, Rep. Sherrill is urging inspectors general from eight federal agencies to look into Musk’s actions and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to ensure transparency and accountability.

Expressing concerns about Elon Musk’s financial ties and influence, Rep. Sherrill emphasized the need for independent oversight to prevent corruption and unfair advantages for Musk’s companies. She highlighted the potential conflicts of interest arising from Musk’s dual role as a Special Government Employee (SGE) and head of DOGE, allowing him to maintain financial interests that could impact federal decisions.

Furthermore, Rep. Sherrill pointed out the significant federal funding Musk’s companies have received, totaling billions of dollars in contracts from various agencies. This raised flags about possible conflicts of interest as Musk leads efforts to cut federal contracts while his own companies benefit from them. Ongoing complaints and investigations against Musk’s companies by regulatory bodies like the National Labor Relations Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission also underscored the need to investigate potential impropriety.

The letter addressed to inspectors general outlined specific instances of potential conflicts of interest at key federal agencies. For example, in the Department of Transportation, Musk’s SpaceX was being considered for a lucrative contract to upgrade the FAA’s communications system, raising concerns about favoritism and self-dealing. Similarly, in the Department of State, a questionable increase in the proposed contract for Tesla Cybertrucks, linked to Musk, raised suspicions about undue influence over federal spending decisions.

The Department of Commerce was also implicated in the letter, citing changes to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program that could benefit Musk’s Starlink service. By altering program requirements to favor Musk’s business, the Department of Commerce potentially opened the door to millions of dollars in federal contracts, further highlighting concerns about conflicts of interest.

Rep. Sherrill’s call for investigations comes at a time when the actions of powerful individuals like Elon Musk can have far-reaching implications for federal spending, contracting, and regulatory decisions. By urging inspectors general to scrutinize Musk’s involvement in federal agencies, Rep. Sherrill seeks to safeguard public trust, accountability, and fairness in government operations. The outcome of these investigations could shed light on the extent of conflicts of interest and self-dealing within federal agencies, paving the way for greater transparency and ethical governance.