Silicon Valley Lawmakers Plan to Investigate Elon Musk’s Role in National Security Technology

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Silicon Valley lawmakers, Congressmen Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Ro Khanna (CA-17) demanded an immediate investigation into reports that Elon Musk's SpaceX restricted critical military communications in Ukraine, disrupting drone operations and air defense systems against Russian attacks.

"Either a private contractor independently made life-and-death national security decisions, or President Trump directed the restriction of critical military communications supporting a U.S. ally," the lawmakers wrote. "Either outcome raises profound concerns about the conduct of American foreign policy."

The lawmakers warned that the controversy threatens America's national security, Silicon Valley's global reputation, and the credibility of American technology.

"As Silicon Valley's elected members in Congress, we represent hundreds of innovation economy employers and workers whose livelihoods depend on the credibility of American technology abroad," the lawmakers wrote. "Politically motivated service interruptions or erratic throttling will undermine reputations developed through decades of work that Americans have led to support our allies and customers throughout the world."

The lawmakers also put Musk's federal funding under scrutiny, questioning whether SpaceX should receive more than $700 million in taxpayer dollars for broadband service if it cannot reliably support critical national security missions.

"American taxpayers should never be left guessing whether the responsibility for critical national security decisions lies with their elected government or a private citizen with substantial financial interests in federal contracts," the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers demanded an initial briefing within 14 days identifying who ordered the restrictions, whether they violated federal contracts, and whether similar vulnerabilities threaten other federal operations.

Read the full letter here.