Donald Trump and Elon Musk have launched an aggressive campaign to reduce government spending by cutting jobs and removing regulations. While they claim this effort is necessary to stop wasteful spending, many legal experts, judges, and Democratic leaders believe their actions are harming the foundations of American democracy.
Their decisions have led to legal battles, accusations of illegal moves, and concerns about their impact on the government’s structure. Some say that Trump and Musk’s actions are not just about cost-cutting but also about increasing executive power at the expense of Congress and the judiciary.
Mass Job Cuts and Government Restructuring
Trump and Musk’s approach to cutting government costs has been dramatic. Musk, who leads the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge), has played a major role in eliminating thousands of jobs across different federal agencies. These cuts have led to confusion and disruption in government functions.
Many experts believe that reducing staff and regulations in such an extreme manner weakens the government’s ability to serve the people. The treasury department, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and several other agencies have been deeply affected by these changes.
Democratic state attorneys general and legal scholars argue that these measures go beyond cost-cutting and violate key principles of the US Constitution. They claim that by reducing the role of Congress and weakening government agencies, Trump and Musk are concentrating too much power in their hands.
Tensions With the Judiciary
Trump and Musk’s actions have led to multiple court battles. Several of their decisions were challenged in court, and judges ruled against them. However, instead of accepting these rulings, Trump and Musk have criticized the judges involved.
In some cases, Trump has even threatened judges with impeachment. Arizona’s attorney general, Kris Mayes, strongly condemned these actions, saying:
“In the US, we appeal rulings we disagree with – we don’t ignore court orders or threaten judges with impeachment just because we don’t like the decision. This is a coup, plain and simple.”
Legal experts worry that Trump and Musk’s attitude toward the judiciary could undermine trust in the legal system. If people begin to believe that court rulings do not matter, it could create a serious crisis for democracy.
Firing of Government Watchdogs
One of Trump’s most controversial actions after returning to office was firing 17 inspectors general (IGs). These officials are responsible for investigating fraud, waste, and corruption within the government.
According to federal law, the president must give Congress a 30-day notice before firing an IG and provide a valid reason for the decision. However, Trump dismissed these officials without following the legal procedure.
Many Democrats criticized this move, arguing that these firings were meant to prevent investigations into government misconduct. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island compared Trump’s actions to “firing cops before you rob the bank.”
Eight of the fired inspectors general filed a lawsuit against Trump, claiming that their termination violated federal law. They are seeking reinstatement, arguing that their dismissal was unlawful.
Legal Battles Over Government Data
Another major controversy involves access to government records. Musk’s department, Doge, attempted to access sensitive information from the Treasury Department. This data includes details about millions of Americans who receive social security benefits, tax refunds, and other payments.
Nineteen Democratic attorneys general sued Trump and the treasury secretary to stop Doge from obtaining these records. They argued that this move violated the Administrative Procedures Act, which sets rules for how government agencies should operate.
A judge in New York issued a temporary order preventing Doge from accessing the treasury payments system. In response, Musk publicly attacked the judge on his social media platform, calling him “corrupt” and demanding his impeachment.
Trump also criticized the ruling, saying:
“It seems hard to believe that a judge could say, ‘We don’t want you to do that,’ so maybe we have to look at the judges because I think that’s a very serious violation.”
Legal experts say that these statements are dangerous because they undermine the role of the judiciary. The courts exist to ensure that the government follows the law, and attacking judges for doing their job could weaken public confidence in the legal system.
Concerns About Democracy and the Constitution
Many experts and political leaders see Trump and Musk’s actions as a direct challenge to democratic principles. The US government is built on a system of checks and balances, meaning that no single person or branch has absolute power. Congress, the courts, and the executive branch must work together and hold each other accountable.
However, critics argue that Trump and Musk are trying to weaken these checks and increase executive power. By cutting regulations, reducing the workforce, and ignoring court rulings, they are creating a system where fewer people have the ability to challenge their decisions.
Kris Mayes, the Arizona attorney general, strongly condemned these actions:
“The president is openly violating the US constitution by taking power from Congress and handing it to an unelected billionaire – while Elon Musk goes after judges who uphold the law and rule against them.”
Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor and law professor at the University of Michigan, also expressed concern:
“Under our constitutional separation of powers system, each co-equal branch serves as a check on the others. The role of the courts is to strike down abuses of executive power when it violates the law. Comments disparaging the courts seem like a dangerous effort to undermine public confidence in the judiciary. If people do not respect the courts, they will be less inclined to obey their orders.”
The Bigger Picture
Trump and Musk argue that their cost-cutting measures are necessary to eliminate waste and improve efficiency in the government. However, critics believe that their actions go far beyond simple budget cuts. They see a pattern of moves that consolidate power in the hands of the president and a wealthy private individual.
