Collins Criticizes Trump for Overempowering Musk in Government Funding Cuts

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) has voiced strong concerns over former President Donald Trump’s influence in empowering billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, stating that it has exceeded what she deems appropriate.

Collins’ remarks reflect growing unease on Capitol Hill regarding Musk’s aggressive push to cut government-funded programs.

Collins specifically questioned the extent of Musk’s authority in scaling back programs that were both authorized and funded by Congress, warning of its implications for legislative oversight.

“There’s no doubt that the president appears to have empowered Elon Musk to go far beyond what I think is appropriate,” Collins told reporters, directly attributing Musk’s influence to Trump’s policies.

Collins is a co-author of the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act, a bill designed to support energy storage research and development. The legislation, she fears, could be among the government-funded programs facing potential cuts in order to accommodate a tax package.

When asked about the BEST Act, Collins acknowledged her concerns regarding its potential defunding.

“I am concerned if the Trump administration is clawing back money that has been specifically appropriated for a particular purpose,” she said.

Collins also pointed out that previous administrations had similarly tested the boundaries of executive power to redirect funds without explicit congressional approval.

She cited President Joe Biden’s decision to divert funding that was initially allocated for border wall construction and instead use it for environmental reviews.

“Now, I’d stress that this president is not the first one to do that. If you recall, President Biden diverted funding that was supposed to be used to build the wall at the southern border. And instead used it for environmental reviews,” Collins said.

However, Collins’ criticism of Musk extended beyond funding issues. She revealed that Musk and his team had failed to notify Congress in advance of their plans to freeze activities at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a move Musk boasted about over the weekend, stating that he was “feeding it into the woodchipper.”

“There is a requirement in the law for 15 days’ notice of any reorganization. We clearly did not get that. We got the letter yesterday,” she told The Hill on Wednesday.

Collins emphasized that the law mandates detailed explanations for any agency reorganizations, renaming of bureaus, or shifting of administrative centers. She confirmed that such details had not been provided by Musk’s team.

“The law also calls for a detailed explanation of any reorganizations, renaming of bureaus, shifting of centers, and again we have not received that,” she said.

With growing concerns about Musk’s influence over federal programs and his apparent disregard for standard congressional protocols, Collins stated that she and other members of the Senate Appropriations Committee would be deliberating their next steps.

“I will be talking to my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee about our next steps,” she added.

Collins further asserted that questions about Musk’s authority to shut down USAID were both valid and pressing.

“It is a very legitimate question whether Musk had the authority to shut down USAID,” she stated.

Her comments highlight the broader debate on Capitol Hill regarding Musk’s increasing involvement in federal operations, which many lawmakers believe extends beyond reasonable bounds.

Some senators have expressed alarm over the precedent this could set for wealthy individuals exerting outsized influence over government functions.

Though Collins acknowledged past instances where presidents have tested executive power, her focus remained on what she perceives as Trump’s direct role in allowing Musk to make unilateral decisions that could impact critical government programs.

Musk’s actions have drawn scrutiny not only for their procedural irregularities but also for their potential consequences on government operations.

Some lawmakers worry that Musk’s cuts could severely undermine long-term investments in essential programs, particularly those related to energy and international aid.

Collins’ concerns underscore the growing tension between lawmakers and influential business figures like Musk, who have positioned themselves at the center of major policy shifts.

While Musk has received strong backing from Trump and his allies, critics argue that his approach prioritizes cost-cutting at the expense of national and global priorities.

As discussions continue, Collins and other senators are expected to push for greater oversight regarding Musk’s influence over government operations, as well as stricter adherence to congressional funding directives.

Whether this will lead to policy changes remains uncertain, but the issue has undoubtedly gained traction as a significant point of debate within the Senate.