Elon Musk seeks to stave off criticism of sweeping government cuts

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US tech billionaire Elon Musk sought to stave off criticism Tuesday that he is pursuing a hostile takeover of the federal government that is causing massive disruptions to lives across the globe, claiming an electoral mandate from the American people for "massive government reform."

Addressing reporters in the Oval Office, Musk pointed to President Donald Trump's November election victory, saying "you couldn't ask for a stronger mandate from the public."

"The people voted for major government reform. There should be no doubt about that," he said. "On the campaign, the president spoke about that at every rally. The people voted for major government reform, and that's what people are going to get. They're going to get what they voted for."

The cuts to spending and programs instituted by Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have sent shockwaves across the globe, grinding foreign aid and development operations to a halt, cutting tens of billions in biomedical research funding, and halting billions of dollars’ worth of government contracts and grants.

The Trump administration is currently in court facing several lawsuits over its attempts to take what Musk has described as a "wood chipper" to the federal government, an effort that has led to tens of thousands of government workers being fired or placed on administrative leave ahead of their attempted dismissals. Effects have also been felt in the private sector, where firings have already begun at companies that work on government contracts or use grants, particularly those that were funded by USAID.

A US district court judge on Monday found that Trump has defied a previous order to release frozen federal grants and ordered his administration to immediately free up the funds.

Speaking alongside Musk in the Oval Office, Trump decried the judge in the case, calling him an "activist" who, he said, "wants to try and stop us from doing this."

"Why would they want to do that? I campaigned on this. I campaigned on the fact that I said government is corrupt, and it is very corrupt. It's very, very...it's also foolish," he said.

Asked by a reporter if he would abide by the ruling of a judge if any of his policies are judicially blocked, Trump said: "I always abide by the courts. Always abide by them, and will appeal."

"But appeals take a long time," he said.

Trump signed an executive order expected to be related to Musk's DOGE effort, but it is unclear what it entails. It was signed after reporter's left the room, and a copy of it has yet to be sent out by the White House.