In a recent development, tech billionaire and “special government employee” Elon Musk’s private security has been reportedly deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Musk, as a private citizen, is not entitled to the U.S. Secret Service detail protecting him, but his proximity to President Donald Trump seems to have allowed him exceptions in protocol.
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The U.S. Marshals Service has deputized members of Musk’s private security detail, giving them certain rights and protections of federal law enforcement agents, three law enforcement officials familiar with the matter told CNN.
Musk has reportedly aired concerns about death threats and apparently fear for his life. During an interview at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday, Musk said the following on stage: “I don’t actually have a death wish.”
“It’s not enormous,” Musk noted of his security detail. “Maybe it should be bigger.”
It is surprising to see a private citizen have such an influence on the president of the United States. Not only does Musk have unprecedented access to the White House, it seems that the Tesla CEO also makes important policy decisions, leading many to wonder who the president actually is. This latest move does nothing to address these concerns.
Musk and his new Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) has gutted the federal government of thousands of jobs, and he has yet to show any concrete evidence of abuse of federal funding or fraud as he had originally claimed.
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When asked about SpaceX and Tesla enjoying government subsidies to the tune of $18 billion, Musk retorted that he did not personally ask for these subsidies but people at his companies did.
With DOGE, Musk has pushed for auditing the Federal Reserve and streamlining federal agencies. While praised for its potential to improve efficiency, DOGE has faced criticism for its rapid implementation, concerns about layoffs, and the long-term sustainability of its proposals.
Only time will tell what more Musk plans to do under the latest Trump administration in the days ahead.