The Many Ways Elon Musk and DOGE Are Endangering Americans

As if the world wasn't already on edge, the latest threat to national security comes from an unlikely place: a government agency tasked with eradicating waste and inefficiency. DOGE, a team allegedly dedicated to streamlining federal spending, has been making headlines for its reckless approach to reforming essential agencies responsible for keeping Americans safe.

Just this week, Elon Musk, the enigmatic CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, admitted to chuckling about canceling an Ebola-prevention effort at the Cabinet meeting. This casual disregard for critical public health initiatives is just one example of the many ways DOGE is putting American lives at risk. The organization's assumptions about government employees are nothing short of staggering: they believe most federal workers are useless and that sweeping layoffs can effectively "cut waste" without any consideration for the real-world consequences.

DOGE's actions have already led to some alarming consequences, including the termination notices sent to hundreds of National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) employees. The sudden loss of staff caused such a public outcry that most of those layoffs were eventually rescinded, but the agency was left scrambling to rehire employees who had been locked out of their email accounts.

Motor Vehicles: The Road to Nowhere

DOGE has also set its sights on reducing the workforce at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which assesses the protective qualities of vehicles, tires, and other equipment, and orders recalls when warranted. With a proposed 4% staff reduction, this move could have serious implications for road safety – including the oversight of car seats.

Notably, Musk has previously expressed frustration with NHTSA, which has six pending investigations into his Tesla self-driving technology. It's hard to shake the feeling that this agency is being unfairly targeted by DOGE's efforts to streamline federal spending.

Air Travel: A Recipe for Disaster

Recent air travel incidents and near-misses have highlighted the strain on America's aviation system. While Trump administration officials claim no air-traffic controllers were affected by hundreds of recent job reductions at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the reality is far more concerning.

Among those laid off were government employees responsible for ensuring pilots are medically cleared and monitoring flight routes to account for obstruction, weather disruptions, and other hazards that could imperil a landing. This cutbacks will undoubtedly put passenger safety at risk, as well as compromise the ability of air traffic controllers to respond effectively to emergencies.

Weather Forecasting: The Sky is Falling

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has also been targeted by DOGE's budget cuts. If the agency suffers a one-third reduction in funding, it may struggle to protect the jobs of those who fly into hurricanes and assess weather patterns across the United States.

Bird-Flu Containment: A Threat to Public Health

DOGE has fired and then rushed to rehire Agriculture Department employees involved in monitoring the devastating bird-flu outbreak. This pathogen has already forced the slaughter of 160 million birds and infected 70 Americans, killing one person.

Cybersecurity: The Digital Frontline

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security is another target of DOGE's cuts. This organization monitors foreign efforts to interfere in American elections and protects computer networks for vital infrastructure – including our water, electricity, and health-care payments.

A Growing Crisis: The Fallout from DOGE

The cumulative effect of these attacks on essential agencies is making America less safe. As more government employees are pushed out or left scrambling to rehire, the risk of critical public services being compromised grows by the day.

Meanwhile, some government officials have responded with outrage and determination. For instance, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy has spoken out about her agency's vital work in addressing aviation disasters and discussing drunk and drugged driving cases – a stark contrast to the dismissive attitude of DOGE's leaders.

The Real Consequences: Emergency Preparedness

Homendy's words encapsulate the essence of this crisis. Emergency preparedness relies on a web of systems that depend on other systems, whose value becomes fully evident only when something goes badly wrong. As government officials disappear or leave their posts, the very fabric of our emergency response infrastructure is at risk.

The public will undoubtedly miss these dedicated professionals when they're gone – and it's time for the American people to demand better from their leaders.