Elon Musk explains his plan to increase the efficiency of the United States government: massive cuts to civil servants and federal spending

Elon Musk outlined plans this Wednesday for his new role as King of “Efficiency”This signals an attack on US federal spending and staffing that will be supported by the executive powers of the President-elect. Donald Trump and a conservative Supreme Court.

in diary wall street journalThe world’s richest man said he is targeting hundreds of billions of dollars including government spending Public broadcasting and reproductive health groups funding Planned Parenthood -, as well as the bureaucracy that represents an “existential threat” to American democracy.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said that, along with fellow businessman and Trump loyalist Vivek Ramaswamy, he would work to reduce federal regulations and make significant administrative cuts and cost savings.

“We are businessmen, not politicians. “We will serve as outside volunteers, not as federal officials or employees.”Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in their most detailed statements since Trump named them to head a new department of government efficiency.

Musk said the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE, indicating Musk’s support for a cryptocurrency) would create a list of rules issued by government agencies without congressional approval that Trump could override by executive order.

“When the President rolls back thousands of those regulations, critics will accuse the executive of overreach. In fact, it would correct the abuse of executive power by thousands of rules promulgated by administrative decree that were never authorized by Congress.Musk said.

He said that reduction in rules will pave the way for this “Mass staff cuts throughout the federal bureaucracy”

And said that DOGE would aim to cut government spending by more than $500 billion.

“With a decisive electoral mandate and a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, DOGE has an historic opportunity to make structural cuts to the federal government,” Musk said.

Musk’s appointment as the “czar” in charge of cutting public spending is the culmination of an alliance forged with Trump in recent months and has turned the world’s richest man into an enthusiastic promoter of Trumpism.

Not long ago, Musk and Trump could not even see each other. In July 2022, Musk wrote on the social network and then on Twitter: “I don’t hate the guy, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat and ride off into the sunset.”

Trump, true to his style, was quick to hit back: “Elon Musk came to the White House asking for my help with all his subsidized projects, whether they’re electric cars that don’t go very far, self-driving cars that Crash or rockets that don’t go far enough will have no value.”

Two years later, Musk spent more than $ 150 million supporting Trump in the presidential elections, appearing with him at rallies and, after the Republican victory, appearing in all photographs and becoming a type of unelected vice president In the shadow capable of influencing the future 47th President of the country.

(With information from AFP and EFE)