Sun Feb 09 16:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Congresswoman Omar Condemns Musk’s Actions as “Constitutional Crisis”
**Washington D.C.** – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and other Democratic members of Congress denounced Elon Musk’s alleged attempts to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as an unconstitutional overreach of power. During a press conference outside USAID headquarters Monday, Omar characterized Musk’s actions, reportedly supported by the Trump administration, as the “beginning of dictatorship.”
Omar, along with Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jim McGovern (D-MA), emphasized that Congress, not the executive branch or private individuals, holds the power of the purse. They argued that Musk’s purported plans to defund and restructure USAID, an agency established by Congress, are illegal and violate the fundamental principles of American democracy. Beyer stated plainly, “USAID was established by an act of Congress, and it can only be disbanded by an act of Congress.” McGovern called Musk’s actions “a brazen attempt…to illegally and unconstitutionally steal from taxpayers.”
Musk’s actions have drawn sharp criticism, with Omar facing particular backlash from right-wing commentators who accuse her of overreaction. Fox News, for example, characterized her statements as a “meltdown.” Omar responded by urging her critics to consult the Constitution, emphasizing Congress’s sole authority over federal spending. Legal experts like NYU law professor Sally Katzen have corroborated Omar’s claims, stating that once Congress appropriates funds, the executive branch cannot unilaterally decide not to spend them.
The congresswoman’s concerns highlight fears of a growing concentration of power in the hands of unelected individuals, potentially undermining democratic processes. While lawsuits are being pursued against the Trump-Musk administration, the situation has sparked widespread concern about the erosion of democratic institutions and the potential for further authoritarian actions.
First Piper 