1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

Republicans' refusal to subpoena Elon Musk undermines critical checks and balances on executive power. Musk, an unelected billionaire, has been granted sweeping authority to dismantle federal agencies and access sensitive government data systems without congressional oversight. This unchecked power grab sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the integrity of our democratic institutions. Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has already frozen funding for USAID, targeted the Department of Labor for cuts, and gained access to Treasury payment systems managing trillions in government funds - all without providing evidence to justify these actions beyond vague claims of fraud and inefficiency. Meanwhile, DOGE staffers with minimal policy experience have been embedded in agencies like NOAA, removing diversity and inclusion materials. Congress has a constitutional duty to exercise robust oversight, but Republicans are abdicating this responsibility to enable the Trump administration's assault on the civil service. Legislators must uphold their oath to defend democracy from authoritarian overreach by compelling Musk to testify and justify his unilateral actions impacting millions of Americans' lives. Consolidating power in the hands of an unaccountable private citizen subverts the will of the people and the system of checks and balances enshrined in our founding principles.