‘He’s not gaining something:’ Trump defends Musk as Doge reels below setbacks, scrutiny

Amid mounting criticism, US President Donald Trump has defended billionaire Elon Musk as his Doge division proclaims sweeping measures to chop federal authorities spending.

In a brief snippet of the interview with Fox Information, which was set to air later within the day, Trump stated he absolutely trusted Musk and would ask him to examine the Division of Schooling in addition to US navy.

“He’s not gaining something,” stated Trump, including they had been going to seek out “billions, a whole lot of billions, of {dollars} of fraud and abuse.”

Trump additional stated that he’s “had an incredible assist with Elon Musk, who’s been terrific”.

Musk is working the so-called Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE); nevertheless, it’s not an official authorities division.

Criticism from Democrats

Democrats have argued that entry to essential authorities funds knowledge could assist Musk’s enterprise pursuits.

“Someone like Elon Musk stands to realize from the closure of USAID,” stated Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, blaming Trump for creating what he referred to as “essentially the most severe constitutional disaster” because the Watergate scandal.

“The president desires to have the ability to resolve how and the place cash is spent in order that he can reward his political pals, he can punish his political enemies. That’s the evisceration of democracy,” Murphy was quoted as saying by ABC Information.

In the meantime, a federal decide on Saturday (February 8)
blocked Doge’s entry to non-public monetary knowledge of thousands and thousands of Individuals in Treasury Division data, a ruling which Musk dubbed “completely insane”.

The order from Decide Paul A. Engelmayer got here after 19 state attorneys common sued Doge over claims that the division violated federal regulation because it was not an official division.

The ruling acknowledged that the states could face “irreparable” hurt “due to the danger that the brand new coverage presents of the disclosure of delicate and confidential data and the heightened danger that the methods in query will likely be extra susceptible than earlier than to hacking.”

Division of protection ‘welcomes’ Doge

In the meantime, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth Sunday stated his division would welcome Musk’s Doge to make sure transparency.

“After we spend {dollars}, we have to know the place they’re going and why, and that has not existed on the defence division,” he was quoted as saying by Fox Information.

(With inputs from businesses)