House Democrats Demand Greater Transparency on Trump’s DOGE Efforts to Address Conflicts of Interest

House Democrats are calling for greater transparency from President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). They seek more insight into the department’s actions regarding potential conflicts of interest in Elon Musk’s initiative. This initiative, aimed at reducing government size, has raised concerns about possible ties to Musk’s private ventures. The Democrats argue that transparency is essential to ensure accountability in government operations. They urge DOGE to clarify its stance and provide clear information on any conflicts of interest.

Letter from Representative Gerald Connolly Calls for Accountability

On Wednesday, Representative Gerald Connolly of Virginia sent a letter to acting DOGE Administrator Amy Gleason. He requested the release of a comprehensive list of DOGE staff members, both paid and unpaid, along with details about their outside employment. Additionally, Connolly sought information on the department’s efforts to address potential ethical conflicts.

The Debate Over Musk’s Efforts to Shrink Government

This call for transparency follows a growing debate surrounding Musk’s push to reduce the federal government’s size. Musk presents the initiative as a solution to curb government spending and tackle fraud, but Democrats argue that it is disorganized and fraught with conflicts.

Democrats Urge DOGE to Disclose Operations

The first step in resolving this ethics crisis is for DOGE to emerge from the shadows and disclose its operations to the American people,” said Connolly. He is the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

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Musk Defends DOGE’s Transparency Amid Criticism

Musk has defended DOGE, asserting that its actions are “maximally transparent” and that the criticisms stem from entrenched bureaucrats. However, critics argue that Musk’s social media updates and a government website with accounting errors fail to alleviate concerns over ethics.

Musk’s Business Interests and Potential Conflicts

As a special government employee, Musk must submit a financial disclosure outlining potential conflicts of interest. His companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and xAI, all have government contracts and are subject to oversight by federal agencies.

White House Responds to Democrat Concerns

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s hiring practices. She emphasized that special government employees are highly qualified and adhere to all necessary paperwork, ethics briefings, and federal laws.

Conflicts of Interest at DOGE Under Scrutiny

Democrats have pointed out other instances of DOGE officials holding simultaneous positions in both the government and private sector. For example, Thomas Krause, head of the DOGE team at the Treasury Department, is also CEO of Cloud Software Group. Katie Miller held a senior advisory role at DOGE while working for a Republican lobbying firm.

Connolly Blasts DOGE Leadership Over Ethics Concerns

The culture of corruption at DOGE starts at the top,” Connolly stated, referencing Musk’s influence over agencies that impact his businesses. He criticized Musk’s disregard for ethics laws and his substantial influence on government agencies.