-(4)-1731951738-q80.webp){kind=small}
Former White House ethics czar Norm Eisen has accused President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of breaking the law on multiple fronts.
Speaking on CNN’s The Situation Room on Tuesday, Eisen criticized Musk’s role in government operations, arguing that his vast business interests create serious conflicts that are not being properly managed.
Eisen, who served in the Obama administration, was responding to Musk’s remarks made from the Oval Office, where the billionaire stated that he would determine his own conflicts of interest while overseeing government functions. “That is not how things are meant to work,” Eisen stated.
“The ethics laws are there to protect against conflicts,” he explained. “People working for the government are supposed to serve the public interest, not their own. Elon Musk is slashing staff in agencies that are investigating him.”
Eisen further criticized the lack of transparency surrounding Musk’s disclosures, questioning whether he had received any waivers or had recused himself from decisions that could benefit his businesses.
“Does he have waivers? Is he recused?” Eisen asked, pointing to Musk’s deep ties with industries that depend on government contracts and regulations.
Musk’s appointment to lead DOGE has sparked intense scrutiny, particularly as the department has gained access to federal payment and information systems.
Critics, including several Democratic lawmakers, argue that the administration’s restructuring efforts under DOGE may involve illegal actions and pose risks to national security and Americans’ privacy.
Despite these concerns, Musk has defended his leadership of DOGE, insisting that he is carrying out the will of the people.
“The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what the people are going to get,” Musk declared during Tuesday’s press conference. “That’s what democracy is all about.”
The billionaire, who owns Tesla, SpaceX, and the social platform X, has also dismissed ongoing legal challenges against DOGE and the Trump administration. He has gone as far as calling for Congress to impeach judges who have temporarily blocked their executive orders.
Multiple court rulings have placed holds on several of Trump’s policies, and some of these cases are expected to reach the Supreme Court, which currently has a conservative majority.
Musk’s increasingly active role in government has led to sharp criticism from ethics experts and political analysts who view his influence as unprecedented. His collaboration with Trump has been marked by sweeping policy changes, including significant reductions in federal workforce numbers and attempts to restructure major agencies.
While Musk and Trump argue that these moves are necessary to eliminate inefficiency, opponents say they represent a dangerous consolidation of power.
Eisen did not hold back in his criticism of both men, pointing to Trump’s legal troubles and Musk’s unchecked authority.
“You have a criminal president, 34 convictions — no wonder he’s happy with Elon Musk,” Eisen said. “They’re violating the law right and left.”
The former ethics official’s remarks add to a growing debate about the boundaries of executive power and the role of private sector leaders in government.
Many watchdog organizations have raised concerns about Musk’s unprecedented level of access, questioning whether he is making decisions in the best interest of the country or his own financial empire.
Musk’s defenders argue that his approach to government reform is necessary, given what they see as decades of bureaucratic inefficiency. His supporters claim that his track record in business demonstrates his ability to streamline operations and innovate at an unparalleled level.
However, his critics worry that government is not a private enterprise and should not be run like one.
The legal battles surrounding DOGE and Trump’s executive orders will continue to play out in court, with potential long-term implications for governance in the United States.
If Musk and Trump succeed in their efforts, it could signal a dramatic shift in how federal agencies operate, with increased privatization and diminished oversight.
If courts block their initiatives, it would reinforce traditional limits on presidential authority and the role of business leaders in government affairs.
As these disputes unfold, one thing remains clear: the Trump administration’s partnership with Musk has ushered in a new and highly controversial era of governance. Whether this model will endure or collapse under legal scrutiny will be determined in the coming months.
