Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur has raised concerns regarding Elon Musk’s loyalty to the United States due to his citizenship in two other countries. Musk, who is closely aligned with President Donald Trump, heads the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with the goal of reducing federal spending. The department has already made significant changes within federal agencies, leading to backlash and criticism from opponents.
Musk has proposed substantial cuts to government spending, suggesting an annual reduction of up to $2 trillion. Proponents argue that this move will enhance efficiency and address the national debt, while critics fear it will limit access to essential government services. The debate over Musk’s citizenship has resurfaced amid discussions about his role as a “special government employee” during the Trump administration.
Speaking at a press conference following the firing of 1,400 Veterans Affairs employees, Representative Kaptur questioned Musk’s allegiance to the U.S. given his Canadian and South African citizenship in addition to his American citizenship. Musk, who was born in South Africa, later became a Canadian citizen before moving to the U.S. where he obtained citizenship through naturalization in 2002.
The Veterans Affairs layoffs have drawn criticism from lawmakers, with Kaptur expressing deep concern over the impact on veterans who have lost their jobs. VA Secretary Doug Collins defended the decisions, emphasizing the department’s focus on assisting veterans and their families. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized the dismissals as detrimental to veterans and patient-facing employees who serve them.
As part of its cost-cutting measures, the VA recently announced the dismissal of probationary and non-bargaining unit employees in non-mission-critical positions with the aim of redirecting savings to benefit programs and healthcare priorities. The department has laid off nearly 2,500 employees out of its almost 480,000-person workforce, prompting concerns about the impact on veterans and other individuals served by the VA.
Moving forward, it is anticipated that more federal employees may face layoffs as the Trump administration pursues budget reductions. Musk’s role in advocating for extensive spending cuts and his citizenship status are likely to remain topics of debate among lawmakers and critics. The uncertainty surrounding the future of the VA and the broader federal workforce raises questions about the balance between cost-saving measures and the provision of essential services to veterans and other beneficiaries.
