DC begins to acknowledge Elon Musk's takeover.
"Where is the leadership of the Democratic Party?"
On Tuesday, a long line of protesters gathered in front of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, holding signs with messages such as "No one elected Musk," "This is illegal," and "Stop the coup." This was one of several protests in Washington D.C. focused on billionaire Elon Musk's access to crucial government payment systems. The event saw participation from Democratic members of Congress and citizens concerned about the lack of opposition to Musk.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) addressed the gathered crowd, declaring that they were witnessing the largest heist in U.S. history. The atmosphere was orderly yet charged with energy; some attendees called for Musk's arrest and began chanting, "Lock him up!" In recent days, Musk and the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have gained power and set their sights on various federal agencies, closing the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and allegedly restricting civil employees’ access to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Van Hollen stated that Musk's goal is to take control of the government to favor his interests and those of other billionaires. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) emphasized the need to remember that Musk was not elected, which drew applause from the protesters. The crowd, consisting of approximately a thousand people, cheered for the Democratic lawmakers who delivered passionate speeches about the necessity to resist Musk's control.
Despite the intense turnout at the rally in front of the Treasury, another earlier event outside the OPM attracted only about 50 people, though numbers had increased from the previous day. Attendees voiced concerns about the impact of Musk’s control, while passing drivers honked in support.
Several critical voices echoed the concern that Musk's access to sensitive government data could pave the way toward an oligarchic future. It was noted that Musk has allocated considerable sums of money to secure both Trump's presidency and his own position. Despite assurances from a Treasury official regarding security checks, reports suggest that Musk's associates have administrative access that could allow them to manipulate payment systems.
As the situation unfolds, there is a growing sense of unease among the protesters about the lack of decisive action from Democratic leaders. These concerns are intensified by the possibility that Musk may continue making unrestricted decisions concerning Congress-funded agencies. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA) expressed that Trump's attempts to freeze public funds are unconstitutional, reaffirming that appropriation bills are laws that must be adhered to.
However, the Democrats find themselves constrained by a lack of majorities in both chambers, hindering their ability to curb actions mostly supported by Republicans. Despite the frustration, some lawmakers suggested increasing visibility to garner support beyond their own party members.
As the speeches concluded, the crowd quickly dispersed, leaving the Treasury doors closed to lawmakers. Uncertainty about who might be listening beyond those doors lingers, reflecting a tense and anxious atmosphere regarding Musk's future access to the government.