this post was submitted on 05 Feb 2025
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Summary

USAID was investigating Elon Musk’s Starlink over its contracts with Ukraine when Musk moved to dismantle the agency.

The probe aimed to assess Ukraine’s use of Starlink terminals and USAID’s oversight. Musk, who has called USAID “evil,” faces scrutiny as multiple federal agencies question the legality of DOGE’s actions.

Additionally, DOGE is being sued for alleged violations of federal privacy laws.

Musk’s campaign against USAID aligns with anti-“deep state” rhetoric, despite his own extensive government ties.

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[–] PyroNeurosis@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 1 day ago (3 children)

In the case that the world goes back to "normal" in four years, what would even be the path forward for prosecution against this?

I mean, I won't hold my breath, but am just curious.

[–] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 day ago

Even if the US presidency goes to a progressive Democrat in 4 years, it will take decades of concerted effort to undo the damage that Trump and his merry band of assholes has done to the US and the world.

The normal that we all knew has been stomped into dust, and won't be back in most of our lifetimes.

The longer the Trump/MAGA shitshow goes on unchecked, the more time and effort it will take to repair the damage.

[–] Jax@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago
[–] Syntha@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 day ago

He will get a preemptive pardon so it doesn't matter.

[–] Freefall@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago

Like he said before his Nazi Salute "OMG this election was SO important".

[–] laranis@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 day ago

There it is.

Nothing these people say means anything until you follow the money.

[–] ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world 173 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Oh, so it's a conflict of interest on his part. Sounds about right.

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 91 points 2 days ago (1 children)

An unpopular, unelected Nazi billionaire with severe conflicts of interest has been given full control of the US Government, and apparently not one of the other 346 million Americans can do anything about it.

[–] TheObviousSolution@kbin.melroy.org 40 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Oh, they can do something about it. It's another matter entirely that they will because it's well outside their comfort zones.

[–] TransplantedSconie@lemm.ee 14 points 1 day ago (2 children)

He is also currently in the White House, surrounded by beefed up security, and they expanded the security parameter by 2 city blocks.

As Blane famously said...

That security and those in the white house are part of those millions of Americans, and there's more than can be done than just targeting him outright. It's funny that Texas and California have large secessionist movements coming from the GQP, but when the nation is at risk of actual fascism, there's nothing remotely similar coming from Democrats. There is a world of different options available to those who seek it, I'm just stating this one as an example that the other side has no problem considering.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 2 points 1 day ago

Just spoke with my neighbor. Pretty much what he said.

[–] billiam0202@lemmy.world 45 points 2 days ago (1 children)

USAID also helped end apartheid in South Africa.

Now why would the thin-skinned son of a slave-owning white South African emerald mine owner have a problem with that?

[–] IndustryStandard@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

USAID is a basically the CIA with a different sign on the building.Lets not pretend this is any different from their CIA buyouts.

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 21 points 2 days ago

Oops all conflicts

[–] zephorah@lemm.ee 54 points 2 days ago (2 children)

The Supreme Court immunity only extends to the President not his ass lickers.

I thought we were deporting criminals.

[–] eronth@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

Yes, but the president can pardon any federal crimes.

[–] alexc@lemmy.world 19 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Remember, it’s usually not a crime if you get caught doing it and you’re rich

[–] JustJack23@slrpnk.net 9 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The word you are searching for is oligarchy

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 9 points 1 day ago

Put it in simple terms: kleptocracy

I was wondering why he suddenly jumped on USAID. Now we know. I had been thinking the US was going to take longer to shift into a fascist state, but apparently it is already there.