US Democrats plan wide Musk corruption inquiries if they win House

Democrats in the US plan to launch sweeping corruption inquiries into President Donald Trump’s administration and billionaire businessman Elon Musk if they win a House of Representatives majority in November’s midterm elections.

According to Politico, the potential inquiries would focus on Musk’s activities leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), his companies’ multi-billion-dollar federal contracts, and his role in restricting the Ukrainian military’s access to the Starlink satellite network.

Pramila Jayapal, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said: “What happens when somebody gets a massive contract with the government and then uses it to cut off communications during a war that is critical to the US’s support of Ukraine? There are so many different manifestations of corruption around Musk.”

The disruptions to Starlink terminals in Ukraine emerged during a period of friction between the US and Ukraine.

Musk maintained that Starlink cannot be used for offensive military actions, while Starshield, the defence-focused protected network, is owned and operated by the US government, with any restrictions imposed by Washington.

Sources cited by The Telegraph claimed Musk suggested restricting Starlink terminals in Ukraine to Trump, who approved the proposal. US President Donald Trump stated that neither he nor Musk blocked Ukraine’s Starlink access.

House committees take action

Sara Guerrero, spokesperson for House Oversight Committee member Robert Garcia, said: “We have a lot of questions about Elon Musk’s role in DOGE and plan to conduct an investigation.”

Some Democratic lawmakers have already begun preparations. In September, Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee demanded sworn testimony from Musk regarding a report alleging DOGE exaggerated its budget savings.

The Budget Committee called for an investigation into allegations that data was stolen from the Social Security Administration system in connection with DOGE.

Zoe Lofgren, a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, indicated that committee members would “learn in more detail about the harm DOGE has done to scientific agencies.”

Lofgren said Musk helped facilitate “the systematic liquidation of government programmes” and that the conflicts of interest recorded during his tenure reached striking proportions.

The Oversight Committee, noted as having the most powerful investigative staff among congressional panels, also aims to examine Musk’s deals.

One of the panel’s lawyer members described the situation by stating: “A third of the members are lawyers, and we see lawlessness and deliberate violations of the law.”

Hundreds of millions of dollars in donations to the Republican Party

Politico reported that Musk, who openly backed the Republican Party in the upcoming elections, became one of its largest financial benefactors by donating at least $276 million to party committees and candidates.

Oversight Committee member Greg Casar stressed the need to unravel the quid-pro-quo nature of the influence Musk obtained.

“Our committees must oversee both the Trump administration and the corporations and ultra-wealthy who are trying to buy our government. Elon Musk is at the top of that list,” Casar said.

The Department of Government Efficiency was established under one of the first executive orders signed by Trump when he took office on 20 January 2025, aimed at slashing public spending and restructuring federal agencies.

Musk, appointed to lead the department, left his post at the end of May following the expiry of his contract and disputes over an omnibus legislative package proposed by Trump.

Originally slated to operate until July 2026, DOGE was dissolved in November 2025, eight months before its term was due to end. Politico noted that following Musk’s departure, the department lost its government influence and numerous key staff members stepped down.