Kelly, Gallego & Grijalva Slam Musk’s DOGE Push While Ciscomani Stays Mute

Arizona’s Democratic Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, along with Tucson Representative Raul Grijalva, are voicing strong opposition to the intentions of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk to dismantle various federal agencies and terminate employees. The move comes as concerns about governance and accountability rise among lawmakers.

Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani of Tucson has not publicly commented but previously expressed excitement about collaborating with Musk and Trump on the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). “The national debt has now exceeded $36 trillion, posing a significant risk to our fiscal stability,” Ciscomani stated as he joined the DOGE Caucus, emphasizing a commitment to reducing government waste and safeguarding taxpayer dollars.

Since Trump’s inauguration, Musk has assembled a team to scrutinize federal operations, with significant efforts focused on agencies such as the Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration. Reports indicate that Musk’s initiatives include canceling contracts related to data collection by the Department of Education, raising alarms about broader implications for federal governance.

As the owner of major companies like Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has labeled USAID as “criminal” and announced plans to transfer its remaining responsibilities to the State Department. This decision follows USAID’s inquiries into potential corruption linked to Starlink’s international activities.

However, some of DOGE’s actions have faced legal challenges. Federal courts have temporarily blocked certain measures, including access to Treasury payment systems and the dismantling of USAID. Musk has criticized these judicial interventions, advocating for the impeachment of judges who hinder his team’s progress.

Trump has also taken controversial steps, rolling back federal regulations preventing U.S. companies from bribing foreign officials while simultaneously pardoning politicians embroiled in bribery offenses. These actions have drawn sharp critique from Democratic lawmakers.

In a recent speech, Kelly condemned Musk for his influence on government operations. “Elon Musk is an unelected and unaccountable figure illegally shutting down federal agencies essential for American safety and prosperity,” he asserted. He asserted that the current agenda under the Trump administration is misaligned with genuine efficiency, suggesting that it ultimately seeks to benefit wealthy individuals at the expense of ordinary Americans.

Kelly also raised concerns about unvetted DOGE workers accessing sensitive government information. In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Kelly and other Senators highlighted disturbing reports indicating that DOGE personnel gained access to classified materials spanning various agencies, raising questions about oversight and transparency.

Public interest in the matter is palpable. On a recent Wednesday, a small group of constituents, including local activist Golda Velez, voiced concerns outside Kelly’s Tucson office. They called for a more vigorous defense of USAID and urged Kelly to act against perceived overreaches by the Trump administration, particularly those involving Musk’s initiatives.

The group’s discussions with Kelly’s staff suggest a shared intent to leverage existing political structures to counteract potential harms arising from cuts to essential services. Velez acknowledged that while Kelly may not immediately adopt an overtly activist stance, he is likely to advocate effectively for constituents when necessary.

Alongside her, Bill Reynolds, a former USAID contracting officer, emphasized the tangible impact of reduced funding, referencing his experiences providing disaster assistance post-tsunami in Indonesia. The group’s concerns resonated deeply, as they urged Kelly to consider local ramifications of cuts to organizations like the American Bird Conservancy.

Gallego has committed to opposing Musk’s actions, asserting, “Unelected billionaires cutting funding to families is not what Arizonans want.” His focus remains on protecting critical social programs from unauthorized interventions.

Grijalva went further, condemning Musk’s efforts as “shameless grift” that undermines the integrity of federal operations. “We must continue to hold DOGE, Musk, and their associates accountable for their unlawful actions,” he emphasized, calling for sustained vigilance against potential threats to government accountability.