this post was submitted on 03 Feb 2025
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Summary

Elon Musk claims his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is shutting down payments to federal contractors, including a Lutheran charity, asserting it is eliminating corruption.

This suggests DOGE has access to Treasury’s payment systems, though officials have not confirmed the extent.

Senator Ron Wyden warned that DOGE may interfere with Social Security, Medicare, and government contracts.

Musk also called USAID “a criminal organization” that should “die,” amid DOGE’s growing influence over federal financial operations.

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[–] Olhonestjim@lemmy.world 9 points 2 hours ago

You guys think we're gonna get tax returns this year?

I bet we don't.

[–] Sam_Bass@lemmy.world 10 points 3 hours ago

And still not a peep from anyone in position to stop it

[–] Gammelfisch@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

I hope that Lutheran Charity is filled with MAGAts in a red run dump.

[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 3 points 3 hours ago

I bet a ton of them were pro-trump, MIC-type leeches.

[–] kungfuratte@feddit.org 46 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

If the US government stops paying their bills at a certain point the country is technically defaulting. That's going to be fun.

[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 10 points 6 hours ago (14 children)

Guess you’ll have to use crypto once your dollar is worthless

[–] dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 5 hours ago (3 children)

I don't think crypto will replace USD as a global currency if USD fails.

[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 hours ago

Euro or Yuan would

But the people in office would certainly want to replace it with crypto domestically

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[–] treadful@lemmy.zip 6 points 6 hours ago

If the dollar tanks, crypto's going with it.

[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 5 points 6 hours ago

Or they can use euros. They're widely accepted.

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[–] wide_eyed_stupid@lemmy.world 44 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago) (5 children)

Can I ask? Why does Musk suddenly have this authority? "DOGE" isn't even a real Department, right? And also, Musk hasn't been elected or officially confirmed for any government position. Why the fuck is he giving orders and leading departments and having any power whatsoever over the U.S. Treasury and such? I don't understand how this works. Why doesn't the U.S. have any... I don't know, safeguards against this sort of shit? It's absolutely bonkers to watch this unfold from across the pond.

Musk just walked up, said "I'm in charge now" and everyone's just complying? Please ELI5.

[–] homura1650@lemmy.world 11 points 5 hours ago

He doesn't. However, that is only according to this pesky technicality called "the law". If the President does not want to follow the law, and appoints people who also do not care for following the law, then the law stops being a thing to look for for authority; and Musk can do this because Trump says he can.

In the short term, expect this to be shut down by the courts. In the medium term, a bunch of these orders will end up in front of the Supreme Court that unironically said "if the president does it, it might be illegal, but he is absolutely immune from prosecution". Even if the SC come down on the only legally defensible position, Trump could still say "them and what army"

This is 100% a coup by Trump to centralize power in the executive. When staging a coup, "authority" is merely an inconvenience.

[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 16 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Trump said he’s in charge in a private capacity

The Supreme Court is yet to say it’s not allowed

[–] hildegarde@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

It takes months if not years for a case to be appealed to the supeme court. They don't even accept most cases.

Any court federal can issue an order on this if a case is brought. Courts cannot do anything unless asked. That's kind of how the legal process works. Someone, or some AG will file a suit. Might take a few days or weeks.

[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 4 points 6 hours ago

It takes months if not years for a case to be appealed to the supeme court. They don’t even accept most cases.

I’m old enough to know how Bush beat Gore

They will keep doing this through the appeals process

[–] Zess@lemmy.world 9 points 6 hours ago

Everyone is not "just complying," two security directors of USAID were dismissed when they tried to stop the musky henchmen.

[–] Professorozone@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

We do have safeguards. They're all being removed one by one by the party in charge. I'm guessing that some just comply because they figure it's inevitable. On the other hand we have a long history of allowing people in power to do what they want. Bush walked into Iraq, we've had many military actions in many countries but haven't declared war since world war III.

Or maybe Musk is just pushing the boundaries before he's deported. LOL.

[–] T00l_shed@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

Apropos typo on the WW3 part.

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[–] ShaggySnacks@lemmy.myserv.one 31 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Not paying contractors, a plan straight out of the Trump playbook.

[–] KinglyWeevil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

I pray they're dumb enough to stop payments to Lockheed it Raytheon. Problem might solve itself

[–] ShaggySnacks@lemmy.myserv.one 7 points 6 hours ago

Mess with the military industrial complex. A wise plan for the Twits, Musk and Trump.

[–] Critical_Thinker@lemm.ee 56 points 11 hours ago

Good to know that our elected officials in the legislative branch are no longer able to create laws that are actually enacted.

This shit is outside the scope of the presidency.

[–] LordGimp@lemm.ee 10 points 8 hours ago

Lmfaooooo I just turned down a contractor position at NASA Ames. Applied for a full time position, went through interviews and even a facility tour, just to be offered part time temp to hire. Get fucked lmaooo

[–] HootinNHollerin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 112 points 13 hours ago (6 children)
[–] echodot@feddit.uk 22 points 8 hours ago (3 children)

Can you guys maybe do something about this? You all have guns right, I thought that was the entire point of that part of the Constitution.

[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 7 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago)

The point of that was to prevent the need for a standing military. The thought was a standing military would lead to tyranny

Texas used to have gun free towns (sort of, when you entered you left your gun with the sheriff)

Political parties were also a big nono, the runner up was supposed to be VP

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago

Unfortunately the wrong people are the ones with guns, because most of my fellow leftists in this country still believe in the myth that you don't need a gun if you're going to live in a country full of people with mental health issues and lack of access to affordable treatment.

[–] dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 5 hours ago

and which side was interested in guns and militancy, and which side was against guns and militancy?

[–] Bakkoda@sh.itjust.works 45 points 13 hours ago

And for people who don't like that word:

Regulatory capture of the entire United States government.

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