Citizens Rally Against Elon Musk’s Growing Influence in Washington
Over 400 concerned citizens packed into Louisville’s IBEW Local 369 hall on February 8, 2025, for a “Stop Elon” rally organized by the Louisville Democratic Party. The event targeted billionaire Elon Musk’s expanding role in shaping federal policy under President Donald Trump’s administration. Attendees voiced fears over Musk’s leadership of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which critics argue operates without transparency while reshaping federal agencies. U.S. Representative Morgan McGarvey, the rally’s keynote speaker, emphasized the urgency of the moment: “He’s going into our agencies, he’s not telling us what he’s doing, and he’s not telling us who’s doing it. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
Three Bills Aim to Rein In Musk’s Reach
McGarvey spotlighted three legislative efforts aimed at curtailing Musk’s power. The Taxpayer Data Protection Act seeks to block individuals with financial conflicts or lacking security clearance from accessing the Treasury’s payment system—a direct response to Musk’s team briefly gaining entry to the system (later halted by a federal judge). The Stop Musk Act protects federal employees who resist “unlawful or unconstitutional” directives from Musk-led initiatives. Lastly, the Consistent Legal Expectations and Access to Records Act ensures that temporary agencies like DOGE comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, promoting transparency. However, these bills face significant hurdles in a Republican-controlled Congress.
Local Fears Over Threats to Public Services
Local speakers raised alarms about Musk’s DOGE targeting agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with speculation that the Department of Education and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) could follow. McGarvey noted the high stakes for Kentucky, where billions in federal funding support public schools and healthcare. “To cut that funding would be disastrous,” he stressed, highlighting that 80% of Jefferson County students rely on public schools. Attendees also worried that privatization efforts could deepen inequities, particularly in rural counties lacking alternatives to public institutions.
Union Leader and Attendees Sound Alarm on Corporate Power
Sara Stanfield, a union treasurer representing federal workers, criticized Musk’s intertwining of corporate and government interests. “Elon Musk—[with] billions in government contracts—is making decisions on all aspects of how the government spends money,” she said, referencing Musk’s estimated $20 billion in federal deals over 16 years. Attendees like Billie Denzik echoed these concerns, calling Musk’s influence a threat to democracy. “Congress needs to stop this,” she urged, emphasizing grassroots mobilization. The diverse crowd—including retirees, educators, and activists—united under a shared belief that corporate leaders shouldn’t dictate public policy.
A Fight for Transparency and Accountability
Rally themes centered on defending democratic norms from privatization and secrecy. McGarvey warned that DOGE’s lack of transparency undermines public trust, with its actions shielded from FOIA scrutiny. One rallygoer, a retired librarian, lamented, “When corporations run the government, ordinary people lose their voice.” Others highlighted the irony of Musk—a selfstyled “free speech absolutist”—operating in shadows while dismantling public institutions. The event juxtaposed Musk’s libertarian ideals with the community’s demand for accountable governance.
Hope Amid Uncertainty: A Call to Action
Despite legislative challenges, the rally’s turnout inspired optimism. Denzik noted, “The more people, the better off we are. You have to stick together.” McGarvey urged sustained pressure on lawmakers, framing the bills as tools to reclaim democratic oversight. While the road ahead is steep, participants left empowered, channeling fear into collective action. As Stanfield put it, “This isn’t just about Musk—it’s about deciding who governs: the people or the powerful.” The Louisville rally underscored a growing resistance movement determined to prioritize public interest over corporate control.
