May 6, 2025 7:23 am
Full News

Elizabeth Warren Urges Ethics Oversight for Elon Musk in Trump Transition Role

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has called on Donald Trump’s transition team to impose ethics standards on billionaire Elon Musk, citing potential conflicts of interest stemming from Musk’s private ventures and his close relationship with the incoming president.

In a letter released on December 17, Warren raised concerns over Musk’s role as co-chair of Trump’s newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency,” a non-government advisory body. She argued that Musk’s extensive business interests, including Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X, create “a massive conflict of interest” with his advisory role, which she described as being akin to an “unofficial co-president.”

“Currently, the American public has no way of knowing whether the advice that he is whispering to you in secret is good for the country—or merely good for his own bottom line,” Warren wrote.

Musk, a vocal Trump supporter who endorsed the former president in July and reportedly spent over $250 million on Trump’s campaign, has not formally joined the government, insulating him from federal ethics laws. Warren’s letter demanded that Musk be held to the same standards as official transition team members, who must abide by a November ethics pledge to avoid conflicts of interest.

Scrutiny Over Potential Conflicts

Critics warn that Musk’s influence could shape policies to benefit his businesses. Tesla, for example, opposes a federal car-crash reporting rule that the Trump transition team reportedly seeks to repeal. Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, noted that Musk’s industries—such as electric vehicles and space exploration—are in developmental stages, and government decisions could give his companies significant advantages.

Trump’s transition team has defended Musk’s appointment, emphasizing the incoming president’s commitment to efficiency and reform. “President Trump removed himself from his multi-billion-dollar real estate empire to run for office and became the first president to lose net worth while in the White House,” spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

In an interview with Time magazine on December 12, Trump dismissed concerns about Musk’s potential conflicts, stating: “I think that Elon puts the country long before his company.”

Musk’s Sweeping Influence

Musk’s advisory group has proposed dramatic restructuring of federal agencies, including reducing government spending and potentially eliminating thousands of jobs. Observers worry that Musk’s influence in the administration could present risks to national security and public safety, especially if his financial interests intersect with regulatory decisions.

Walter Shaub, a former director of the Office of Government Ethics, criticized Musk’s involvement, claiming it prioritizes private gain over public welfare. “Taxpayers should lament their money going to serve Musk’s interests instead of the interests of the American people,” Shaub said.

Musk’s role in shaping the Trump administration’s policies is likely to continue fueling debates over ethics and transparency, with calls for greater oversight intensifying.

Related News
Lois Burwell Resigns From Film Academy’s Board of Governors
Opposition Leader Announces Protests in All Cities of Turkey
Awami League leaders and activists campaigned for Keir Starmer in the UK
Russia and Ukraine Agree to Cease Attacks in the Black Sea
Trump’s Ukraine Plan Unveiled: Territorial Concessions and NATO Freeze
Experts Warn Space Congestion Could Render Low Earth Orbit Unusable Without Global Coordination
Related Posts
Export Income Hits Lowest in April in 10 Months, RMG Sector Also Affected in Banglades
Credit Flow Lowest in 21 Years; Domestic Investment Sees Downturn in Bangladesh
Registration of 118,000 Newly Arrived Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar—No Space Left in Camps
Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Possible “At Any Moment
Pakistan Accuses India of Violating Indus Waters Treaty, Prepares Formal Notice
India Suspends Indus Water Treaty Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan
More News

Japan’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban Declared Unconstitutional: What It Means for LGBTQ+ Rights

Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages was deemed unconstitutional by a high court on Friday, marking another significant victory for the LGBTQ+ community and intensifying pressure on the government to take action. The Fukuoka High Court’s decision represents the eighth win out of nine rulings since lawsuits were first filed in 2019. Here’s a breakdown […]

August 21 Grenade Attack: A Tragic Betrayal of Bangladesh’s Democracy and Justice

Khondakar Md Ahsan Habib On the fateful day of 21 August 2004, the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh, bore witness to a ruthless act of political violence that would forever change the course of the nation’s history. What was meant to be a peaceful rally by the opposition Awami League, led by the then-opposition leader Sheikh […]

UN Human Rights Chief Criticizes US Policy Shift Under Trump

The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, has expressed deep concern about a “fundamental shift in direction” by the United States under President Donald Trump. In a speech on March 3, Turk warned that divisive rhetoric is being used to deceive and polarize people. “We have enjoyed bipartisan support from the US on human […]

West Bengal Tense Over Wakf Act Amendment

The Wakf Amendment Bill, recently signed into law by Indian President Droupadi Murmu after being passed in Parliament, has sparked widespread protests across several Indian states. Members of the Muslim community have taken to the streets demanding its repeal, with West Bengal witnessing particularly intense unrest, some of which has turned violent. For the past […]

Massive Internal Conflict in Israel Raises Concerns Over Economic Standstill

A major internal conflict has erupted in Israel over the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing war crime charges, dismissed the intelligence chief through a cabinet decision on Thursday. However, Israel’s High Court has temporarily suspended the order until April 8. Despite this, Netanyahu is reportedly […]

Mufasa: The Lion King Surpasses USD 700 Million at the Box Office

Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King has surpassed expectations, roaring past USD 700 million at the global box office. As of February 24, the film added USD 180,000 domestically, bringing its U.S. total to USD 245.6 million. Internationally, it earned USD 650,000 across 53 markets, pushing its overseas total to USD 454.4 million. With these strong […]

Study Finds Only 16% of Carbon Credits Delivered Real Emission Cuts

Sahadat Russell A groundbreaking study published in Nature has revealed that only 16% of carbon credits issued under older international systems led to actual emissions reductions, casting doubt on the effectiveness of carbon trading as a climate solution. The research analyzed projects that generated carbon credits equivalent to one billion tons of CO2 and highlights […]

Russia Sets Condition: Ukraine Cannot Join NATO Under Any Circumstances

Russia has reportedly set a condition for the United States, stating that Ukraine cannot, under any circumstances, become a part of the NATO military alliance. A Russian government spokesperson told a state media outlet that two key points had been made clear to the U.S.: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated, “We expect that […]

Tesla Recalls Over 46,000 Cybertrucks Amid Safety Concerns

Tesla has announced the recall of 46,096 Cybertruck vehicles in the United States due to concerns over a stainless-steel exterior trim panel, known as the cant rail, which could delaminate and detach while driving. The recall, revealed on March 20, highlights safety risks as detached panels may become road hazards, increasing the likelihood of accidents. […]

Pakistan to Issue Formal Notice to India Over Indus Waters Treaty Suspension

Pakistan to Issue Formal Notice to India Over Indus Waters Treaty SuspensionIslamabad, May 3 – Pakistan has decided to issue a formal diplomatic notice to India following New Delhi’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), officials confirmed.The decision comes after legal and constitutional consultations between Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Water […]