Federal investigations into Elon Musk over national security concerns

Elon Musk and his aerospace company, SpaceX, are facing intense scrutiny as federal agencies investigate their compliance with national security reporting protocols.

At least three federal investigations into Elon Musk have been launched to examine potential lapses in adhering to rules designed to protect state secrets, according to a report by The New York Times.

Multiple federal agencies investigate Musk, SpaceX for security violations

The ongoing investigations into Elon Musk involve the U.S. Air Force, the Defense Department’s Office of Inspector General, and the Pentagon’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.

These agencies are examining whether SpaceX and its CEO, Elon Musk, failed to disclose critical details about his meetings with foreign leaders and other personal activities, as required by national security protocols.

The Air Force recently denied Musk high-level security clearance due to potential security risks. Defense officials stated that allied nations, including Israel, have raised concerns about Musk potentially sharing sensitive information.

Internal complaints from SpaceX employees have further revealed deficiencies in reporting practices that reportedly date back to 2021.

Whistleblowers allege reporting failures and fear retaliation

Employees tasked with ensuring SpaceX’s compliance with national security regulations claimed that the company allowed Musk to bypass critical protocols. The staff reportedly feared job loss, which prevented them from enforcing compliance.

According to the report, some employees who flagged these issues were dismissed or forced to leave the company. These revelations have further fueled federal investigations into Elon Musk and his company’s practices.

These lapses are significant, as SpaceX holds contracts worth at least $10 billion with the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA. The company’s access to classified information includes advanced U.S. military technology, which makes strict adherence to reporting protocols essential. Federal investigations into Elon Musk are exploring how these lapses may impact national security.

Senators call for thorough investigations into Elon Musk’s foreign communications

Last month, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Jack Reed formally requested investigations into Musk’s interactions with foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The reports about Musk’s communications are deeply troubling and warrant further examination,” Shaheen said in her letter. In response, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall acknowledged these concerns but declined to comment on Musk’s security clearance status.

Musk has not publicly addressed the allegations or the ongoing probes. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell also declined to comment when approached by reporters. The investigations into Elon Musk and his foreign communications remain a central focus of federal scrutiny.

Federal scrutiny follows previous controversies involving Musk

This is not the first time Musk’s actions have drawn federal attention. In 2018, a live broadcast showing Musk smoking marijuana with comedian Joe Rogan prompted the Pentagon to review his security clearance.

The current investigations into Elon Musk bring broader concerns about his growing influence into focus as he oversees multiple ventures, including SpaceX, Tesla, and the social media platform X.

The outcome of these federal reviews remains uncertain. However, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump holds the constitutional authority to grant security clearances, which could significantly impact the direction of these investigations into Elon Musk.