We Are Jews Against Coups
Over the weekend, Elon Musk carried out a hostile takeover of U.S. government offices and agencies. This includes the federal payment system, which oversees $6 trillion annually in payments to American households and businesses, including tax refunds. Elon Musk and his minions, who aren’t old enough to rent a car in the United States, are now likely in possession of your social security number and other personal and financial information.
In addition to grabbing the checkbook of the U.S. government, Musk declared he’s shuttering the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), an independent agency created by Congress to provide emergency, disaster, healthcare, counterterror, and other vital assistance globally. According to existing U.S. law – to the extent that it matters to Trump and Musk – only an act of Congress can change the status or shut down an arm of the government. This is clearly illegal.
TELL CONGRESS: Assert Congressional Authority And Oppose Trump’s Coup
Those who stood in the way of the hostile takeovers at USAID and Treasury were forced out. On Friday, prosecutors at the FBI who investigated January 6 insurrectionists were forced out. Anyone who stands in Musk’s way is forced out.
As the Wall Street Journal observed, “Musk moves at lightning speed to exert control over the government.” And our partner Marc Elias responded, “If only there was a word for when an unelected oligarch moves quickly to take over control of the government.” There is a word…it’s a coup. And we’re not afraid to say it.
We don’t use this term lightly, so let’s consider the actual definition. A coup is “a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics…or alteration of an existing government by a small group.” An unelected and unconfirmed civilian, Elon Musk – presumably with the authorization of President Trump – has absolutely altered the U.S. government. He is systematically and intentionally breaking it down and likely plans to rebuild it in his image. This is illegal and must be stopped.
USAID is just a harbinger of what’s to come – it’s a test case by Elon Musk to see if he can get away with a hostile takeover of a U.S. government agency. There are reports that other agencies, including the Department of Education, are next. We’ve already seen Musk’s efforts to push out nearly all U.S. government employees using the same tactics he used at Twitter. This may be the “Muskification of the U.S. Government,” but it’s not legal.
So, who will do something to defend our government, democracy, existing laws, and norms? It’s a good question, especially when you consider that inspectors general for 15 government agencies, including the Departments of Justice, State, and Treasury, were illegally fired by Trump during his first week in office.
There are two answers to this question:
- Congress. Congressional authority was usurped, and Congress must re-assert its lawful authority; and
- You. Members of Congress work for you. It doesn’t matter if they are Democrats or Republicans – this is not about party; it’s about the Constitution, our democracy, and the future of our country.
Here’s how you can TAKE ACTION:
Write to your member of Congress, urging them to assert their constitutional authority over the U.S. government – including by taking all procedural measures to stop this coup.
We have no choice but to lift our voices and take action because we are JEWS AGAINST COUPS. We will not sit by silently and will defend our democracy together. Thank you for your partnership and support.
In solidarity,
Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America