Congress

Republican Senators Say They’re Fine Handing Their Power to Elon Musk

Musk’s actions may be unconstitutional but “nobody should bellyache about that,” Sen. Thom Tillis said.

Elon Musk arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration

Musk and his aides have demanded access to key Treasury Department systems and government databases. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

By Haley Byrd Wilt, Shifra Dayak and Ben T.N. Mause

February 4, 2025 05:00 AM

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is working to shut down government agencies and cancel congressionally approved funding — and many Republican lawmakers are just fine with it.

“He’s doing exactly what he should be doing,” Florida Sen. Rick Scott said Monday night. “He’s going through every agency and looking at how to make sure the money’s spent right.”

Wait, isn’t that explicitly the role of Congress?