By Gloria Ogbonna
Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) did not hold back on Monday night when he criticized billionaire Elon Musk during an appearance on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show. Kelly accused Musk of prioritizing personal wealth over public service and condemned his role in mass layoffs at the U.S.
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which the senator claimed had devastated the lives of veterans and other federal employees.
During the interview, Maddow asked Kelly for his response to Musk calling him a “traitor” after the senator publicly discussed his trip to Ukraine. Musk, a top donor to President Trump’s re-election campaign, has been increasingly vocal about his political views, frequently targeting those who support U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot and NASA astronaut, pushed back forcefully.
“I was 22 years old when I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” Kelly said. “I have lived that oath my entire life. I flew in combat during the first Gulf War.
I served in the U.S. Navy for 25 years. I spent 15 years at NASA, risking my life flying the space shuttle. And the only oath I can think of that maybe Elon has sworn is an oath to his own checking account—to his pocketbook.”
Kelly then shifted the conversation to what he sees as Musk’s direct impact on American veterans. The senator revealed that he had recently met with veterans who had been fired by Musk after receiving strong performance evaluations.
“These were individuals who were serving our country again in very valuable roles,” Kelly explained. “They didn’t deserve to be fired by an email from an unelected billionaire.”
Kelly was referring to the widespread layoffs at DOGE, a government agency tasked with streamlining federal operations. The agency had hired many veterans for key positions, but after Musk-backed efficiency reforms, hundreds were abruptly let go.
“He has ruined these people’s lives,” Kelly said. “They were serving our country, continuing to contribute, and then, out of nowhere, they get an email saying they’re out of a job. That’s not leadership—that’s cruelty.”
Kelly didn’t stop there. He suggested that Musk should focus on his own business ventures rather than interfering in government operations.
“I think Elon needs to go back to making rockets,” Kelly said. “That’s what he should focus on. He shouldn’t be focused on this slash-and-burn approach to the federal government.”
Musk, who has used his companies like SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter) to influence political discourse, has yet to respond directly to Kelly’s remarks. However, his recent involvement in government restructuring, particularly through his push for drastic budget cuts, has made him a controversial figure in Washington.
Kelly’s comments highlight a broader conflict between lawmakers and powerful tech billionaires who seek to reshape government policies. With Musk playing an increasingly active role in both politics and federal workforce decisions, Democrats like Kelly are pushing back, arguing that such influence is detrimental to public service.
The debate over DOGE and Musk’s involvement in federal restructuring is likely to continue, especially as the 2024 election draws closer. For now, Kelly has made his position clear: billionaires shouldn’t dictate government policies or put American veterans out of work.
Source Breitbart
Gloria Ogbonna stands as an exceptional individual who effortlessly weaves together the crafts of storytelling and writing. From an early age, she possessed an inquisitive spirit and a pen destined for greatness. Her innate grasp of the human experience and an insatiable yearning to unearth untold stories underscore her remarkable journey. Gloria possesses a distinct talent for crafting words that leave a profound impact, showcasing her ability to create change through the art of communication. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of yourNEWS. (Note: Articles may not be original content. Reference byline for original source.)
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