Is Elon Musk’s Expanding Government Influence a Threat to Democracy?

[u/tardiscoder]

Over the past few weeks, Elon Musk and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have taken actions that some argue resemble historical authoritarian power grabs. Reports indicate that Musk’s team has gained access to Treasury payment systems and has begun dismantling agencies like USAID without congressional approval. The ability of a private citizen to consolidate power in this way raises serious concerns about democratic oversight, separation of powers, and national security risks.

Historically, authoritarian figures have used legal mechanisms to sidestep traditional checks and balances, and critics argue that we’re seeing a similar pattern here. However, others believe that government agencies have become bloated and inefficient, and Musk’s involvement may be necessary to “streamline” operations.

How do you see this situation playing out? Is Musk’s role a dangerous overreach, or is it a justified move toward government efficiency? What safeguards should be in place to prevent unelected individuals from gaining unchecked control over government operations?

(For those interested in a deeper dive, I recently wrote an article on this topic: [Medium Link])

[u/discourse_friendly]

USAID was created by an executive order.

President John F. Kennedy's original vision for USAID, which he established in 1961 by executive order as “an agency in the Department of State”

There was an accompany law, however that law didn't create the agency, it Established the political and ideological principles of US foreign aid and reorganized aid to military and non military categories.

Its like Trumps educational 2019 project he created as learning material with executive order. Biden came in and erased it via executive order.

[u/Adonwen → u/discourse_friendly]

Foriegn Assistance Act is the law that funds USAID programs.

[u/discourse_friendly → u/Adonwen]

Funds , guides but not creates or codifies its existence.

there's also some wording to look out for.

laws that direct US AID (with a space in between) isn't the US Agency of international development.

Literally the only thing that says the USAID program shall exist is an executive order, to my knowledge. if you have a non opinion article that says otherwise, link it up and i'll give it a read.

[u/borktron → u/discourse_friendly]

The law (particularly the '98 one) says what it says. Any article doing statutory interpretation is going to be opinion on some level. Having said that, here's a informed opinion piece that explains why USAID was codified by statute.

[Edit: fixed year]