Violation of federal conflict-of-interest laws under 18 U.S. Code § 208

I am writing to bring to your attention a potential violation of federal conflict-of-interest laws under 18 U.S. Code § 208, which pertains to acts affecting a personal financial interest, by Elon Musk in his current role as a Special Government Employee (SGE) in the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As you may be aware, 18 U.S. Code § 208 prohibits federal employees, including SGEs, from participating in any matter that would have a direct and predictable effect on their personal financial interests. This statute is in place to prevent individuals from using their position in government to benefit personally, financially, or professionally at the expense of public trust. Elon Musk, in his capacity as the leader of DOGE, could be in direct violation of this law due to his substantial personal financial interests in businesses that could be affected by the policies, decisions, and regulations that DOGE is likely to influence. For example: 1. SpaceX: Musk’s private aerospace company, SpaceX, has secured billions of dollars in government contracts, particularly from agencies like NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). DOGE’s work, which could involve streamlining or altering regulations at these agencies, could directly impact SpaceX’s operations and financial standing. 2. Tesla: Similarly, Tesla’s operations and the government’s regulatory landscape for electric vehicles could be influenced by DOGE’s initiatives. Musk’s financial stake in Tesla raises questions about whether he could be making decisions that benefit Tesla’s regulatory environment, potentially violating the prohibition against actions that affect one’s financial interests. Given Musk’s direct ties to multiple businesses that could be impacted by DOGE’s activities, his leadership role in this department appears to create a clear conflict of interest. This raises the serious concern that Musk is in violation of 18 U.S. Code § 208, which prohibits him from engaging in matters where his private financial interests could be influenced by his government position. I urge you to investigate this issue further and ensure that appropriate actions are taken to uphold the integrity of our government institutions and to hold public officials accountable for any potential conflicts of interest. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and actions regarding this issue.