Mastodawn

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Via ‪Ryan Mac ‬ ‪@rmac.bsky.social‬:

Big scoop from
@kirstengrind.bsky.social
,
@ericlipton.nytimes.com
and
@sheeraf.bsky.social
There are at least 3 federal reviews into Elon #Musk for failing to report the details of his foreign relations as required by his security clearance

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/technology/elon-musk-spacex-national-security-reporting.html

Elon Musk and SpaceX Face Federal Reviews After Violations of Security Reporting Rules

Federal agencies have opened at least three reviews into whether the company and its leader complied with disclosure protocols intended to protect state secrets, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The New York Times

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

2/ "Elon Musk and his rocket company, SpaceX, have repeatedly failed to comply with federal reporting protocols aimed at protecting state secrets, including by not providing some details of his meetings with foreign leaders, according to people with knowledge of the company and internal documents"

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

3/ "Defense Dept’s Office of Inspector General opened a review into the matter this year, and the Air Force and the Pentagon’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security separately initiated reviews last month.

The Air Force also recently denied Mr. Musk a high-level security access, citing potential security risks associated with the billionaire. Several allied nations, including Israel, have also expressed concerns that he could share sensitive data with others"

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

4/ "Internally, SpaceX has a team that is expected to ensure compliance with the government’s national security rules. Some of those employees have complained to the Defense Department’s Office of Inspector General and other agencies about the lax reporting, which goes back to at least 2021, four people with knowledge of the company said. SpaceX was awarded at least $10 billion in federal contracts with the Pentagon and NASA from 2019 to 2023, making it a major contractor."

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

5/ "Some SpaceX workers have become concerned about Mr. Musk’s ability to handle sensitive information, especially as he posts openly on X about everything from video games to diplomatic meetings, the people said. The fears have been compounded because Mr. Musk has a top secret security clearance at SpaceX, which makes him privy to classified material such as advanced U.S. military technology."

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

6/ (Not under Trump's rules)

"Under security clearance rules, Mr. Musk must report information about his private life and foreign travel, among other details, to the Defense Department as part of a process known as “continuous vetting.” That allows the government to evaluate whether someone with a high-level security clearance should continue handling sensitive information."

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

7/ "But since at least 2021, Mr. Musk and SpaceX have not adhered to those reporting requirements, the people with knowledge of SpaceX said. He and his team have not provided some details of his travel — such as his full itineraries — and some of his meetings with foreign leaders, they said. 👉🏼He has also not reported his use of drugs, which is required even with a prescription, they said."

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

8/ "Whether the federal reviews will affect Mr. Musk or SpaceX is unclear. Some of the SpaceX employees who complained about the privately held company’s reporting practices have been fired or forced out, the people with knowledge of the rocket maker said. Two defense officials said senior Pentagon leaders had given directives to avoid discussing the matter so they would not become targets of Mr. Musk, who has promised to cut government workers and budgets in his new role in Washington."

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

9/ As I was saying above...

"As a matter of constitutional law, Mr. Trump could grant a security clearance to anyone after his inauguration, even if others in the government object."

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

10/ "Other govts grown increasingly wary of Musk’s ability to handle classified info. 9 countries, incl in Eur & Middle East, raised security q's about him in meetings w US defense officers in past 3 yrs..

In meetings about Starlink between Israeli military intel officers & US defense officials in 2023, Israeli Ministry of Defense called Musk “a wild card".. Israeli officials concerned he cd pass sensitive data abt Israel to others, though they eventually allowed Starlink into country this yr"

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

11/ "SpaceX executives assured the Defense Department that they kept Mr. Musk out of the most sensitive classified discussions, the official said. Yet Pentagon officials remain concerned that Mr. Musk has joined some meetings where such matters were discussed, even without the special clearance, the official said."

Frank Bennett 🇯🇵Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff He's been delinquent for three years already and nothing's been done? He'll skate.

Karen Strickholm Dec 17, 2024

@fgbjr @GottaLaff Totally. It's like they're all sleepwalking or something.

Steve Hersey Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff
As far as the US keeping ANY secrets is concerned, we're just totally screwed for the duration of this crew. And our allies will justifiably keep us away from their innermost secrets as being untrustworthy.
Of course, we do spy on them as well, but I bet that will decline greatly as they tighten up their practices to protect against us.

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

@n1xnx And if they do away with the FBI Intel building, as the idiot wants to do, then the decline will be off a cliff.

Nicole Parsons Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff @n1xnx

Fascinating how the public didn't know about these concerns before the election.

That's the problem with backsliding democracies, oligarchs will shield each other using compliant media & officials.

When oligarchs loot a nation, they don't just pillage museums or divert tax revenues to themselves.

They set up a system of public corruption for self-dealing & self-enrichment.

GOP voters are fine with it as long as "their side" gets rich off the sale of classified material.

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

@Npars01 Maddow did a great A-Block on this last night. Thanks for this post. @n1xnx

Nicole Parsons Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff @n1xnx

Excellent reporting as always!

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/better-for-the-billionaire-rachel-maddow-on-the-fallout-when-the-presidency-caters-to-billionaires-227242053603

Better for the billionaire: Rachel Maddow on the fallout when the presidency caters to billionaires

Rachel Maddow looks at the history of crashes by Tesla's auto pilot-driven cars and the sudden priority the Trump transition team is giving to getting rid of a new requirement to report those crashes.

MSNBC

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

@Npars01 Thank you for the link!! @n1xnx

T.Wllms Dec 17, 2024

and another excellent reason for muck to set aside his issues with trump to become best buddies.... these two haven't always had the best relationship.

"I don't hate the man," Elon Musk tweeted in July 2022, "but it's time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset."

@GottaLaff @n1xnx

Toni Aittoniemi Dec 17, 2024

@Npars01 @GottaLaff @n1xnx

In an #oligarchy,
Their freedom is the #unfreedomofothers

Miamirto Dec 17, 2024

@Npars01 @GottaLaff @n1xnx I posted here in this when the news were out the other day. All I can is the same thing: the idiots who will continue to buy Tesla, but mostly I fear and am angry for all the bystanders who did not and will not deserve to die to help this disgusting person profiteer.

Laffy Dec 18, 2024

@MiaMirto Whenever I post about a recall (Tesla), I get Teslamentalists admonishing me with, "It's just a computer fix, they don't need to take the car in. Every car has issues!"

Not like Tesla they don't. @Npars01 @n1xnx

Johan Diederik Dec 18, 2024

@GottaLaff @MiaMirto @Npars01 @n1xnx Kia eV, 1.5 years old: zero fixes. Nothing! Being a Citroën loving person all my life I have to admit this Kia is a great car😎

Miamirto Dec 18, 2024

@JohanDiederik @GottaLaff @Npars01 @n1xnx Volvo person here purely on the e line being so sexy and no one wants to steal them :p

Laffy Dec 18, 2024

@JohanDiederik I’ve driven BMW i3s since 2015 with zero problems. None. I brought mine to Canada, and wish BMW would go back to producing them. Sigh. @MiaMirto @Npars01 @n1xnx

Miamirto Dec 18, 2024

@GottaLaff yeah it's like posting sth negative about Beyonce. Exhausting.

Nicole Parsons Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff @n1xnx

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/03/putin-russia-china-iran-ukraine-autocrats/

https://www.csce.gov/hearings/countering-oligarchs-enablers-and-lawfare/

The history of oligarchs & dictators looting a country, then starting wars...

Russia & Putin
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1999/09/20/the-looting-of-russia/ffad1ff5-6592-4106-99b8-5398c3466916/

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/05/vladmir-putin-oligarchs-money-laundering-private-equity/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2022/offshore-putin-russia-oligarchs-pandora/

Philippines & Marcos
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/07/10bn-dollar-question-marcos-millions-nick-davies

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unexplained_wealth_of_the_Marcos_family#:~:text=%E2%82%B1174%20billion.-,Convictions,bank%20accounts%20worth%20%24658%20million.

Syria & Assad
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/09/luxury-cars-labels-syrians-assad-family-residences

https://www.csis.org/analysis/how-assad-regime-systematically-diverts-tens-millions-aid

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2024-12-16/butcher-of-hama-assads-uncle-used-guernsey-fund-manager-to-stash-millions-looted-from-syria/

Iran & the Shah

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/02/oligarchy-knows-class-warfare-real-fight-why-dont-liberals

https://www.rferl.org/a/1144535.html

https://mondoweiss.net/2013/07/oligarch-valley-how-beverly-hills-billionaire-farmers-lynda-and-stewart-resnick-profit-from-the-iran-sanctions-they-lobbied-for/

1/2

Putin Has Assembled Iran, China, and an Axis of Autocrats Against Ukraine

Russia’s war is receiving critical assistance from authoritarian regimes around the world.

Foreign Policy

Nicole Parsons Dec 17, 2024

2/2

Lebanon
https://www.workersliberty.org/story/2019-11-21/lebanons-revolt-against-oligarchic-sects

Africa
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/02/looting-machine-warlords-tycoons-smugglers-systematic-theft-africa-wealth-review

Sri Lanka
https://www.icij.org/investigations/pandora-papers/sri-lanka-rajapaksa-family-offshore-wealth-power/

https://www.icij.org/investigations/pandora-papers/as-sri-lankas-ruling-rajapaksas-flee-pandora-papers-reveal-ties-to-uae-properties/

Georgia
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_mafia

https://www.thetimes.com/article/bounty-hunters-bag-200m-of-oligarch-loot-76x7bk3m0

Lebanon’s revolt against oligarchic sects

Joey Ayoub, a Lebanese writer and participant in the protests, talked on the phone with Daniel Randall from Solidarity. This is what he had to say. The movement started on 17 October, hence it’s being called “The 17 October Revolution”. That day was very much a straw that broke the camel’s back; the consequences of some natural disasters, such as wildfires on 14 October, had piled social misery on a number of disastrous policies, and led to a widespread revolt.

Workers' Liberty

jmjm Dec 17, 2024

@Npars01 @GottaLaff @n1xnx

A chunk of the US electorate didn't even know that Biden had dropped out of the race. It doesn't matter what the news says or doesn't say.

Some people are only reachable by Facebook, and Facebook solved their moderation problem by just circular filing the whole election.

Whoops there goes the democracy.

Nicole Parsons Dec 17, 2024

@jmjm @GottaLaff @n1xnx

Silicon Valley bends the knee...
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/28/mark-zuckerberg-trump

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/12/silicon-valley-heads-to-mar-a-lago/681022/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/12/zuckerberg-bezos-pichai-trump/

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/us/politics/mark-zuckerberg-trump-meeting.html

Mark Zuckerberg dines with Trump at Mar-a-Lago despite former feud

Meta CEO reportedly wants to support president-elect after previously banning him from Instagram and Facebook

The Guardian

Grandpa Don Dec 18, 2024

@Npars01 @GottaLaff @n1xnx

Wby do the rumors about the JFK & MLK assassinations keep poppng into my head?

Hermey G Dec 18, 2024

@GottaLaff
EVERYTHING is for sale now
@n1xnx

AlgoCompSynth by znmeb 🇺🇦Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff Does anyone have standing to get this into the courts before Trump and the new Senate take office and make it go away? Asking for a worried nation.

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

@AlgoCompSynth Trump's courts?

GiddingsMJ Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff 9 countries have raised questions about him!

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

@GiddingsMJ Yes, I posted that in the thread.

GiddingsMJ Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff Yes, I was just being flabbergasted.

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

@GiddingsMJ Oh, got it. Yes, as you should be

Simon Willcocks Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff It looks like he's about to buy his way into UK politics, too.

toa5t Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff It's about as clear as it can be that Five Eyes is toast. With an untrustworthy major partner, why would Australia, UK New Zealand share sensitive information when it's going to get shared with the wrong people. Working with Musk will become a no-no for most countries as well. One Network in NZ went all-in on Starlink which they are probably regretting now...

Artemesia Dec 17, 2024

'"As a matter of constitutional law, Mr. Trump could grant a security clearance to anyone after his inauguration, even if others in the government object."'

sez who? I'm gonna need a cite on this one.

Linebyline→mastoart.social Dec 17, 2024

@artemesia @GottaLaff As a matter of constitutional law, Trump can do whatever he wants, because he holds the unwavering loyalty of more than half of the people who decide, by majority vote (with no oversight or any checks on their power short of impeachment or waiting until they die and appointing someone else), what constitutional law even is.

Not that it mattered; he could already do whatever he wanted before because nobody has both the authority and the guts to tell him no.

Artemesia Dec 17, 2024

@linebyline @GottaLaff

That's not a matter of consitutional law, but of practical politics. My demand for the cite is in responce to the NYT's bald unsupported assertion that the president has a "constitutional" ability to grant a classification to "anyone". The NYT has for years now been carrying water for mangolini and normalizing the nefarious crap he does. This appears to be another instance of that.

Muting you too, now.

Linebyline→mastoart.social Dec 17, 2024

@artemesia @GottaLaff Mute whom you please, no skin off my nose. (Not that you'll see this, therefore, but in case anyone else cares…)

I'm genuinely not sure what's in question here. What's the difference between "practical politics" and "constitutional law" when the latter (albeit not the Constitution itself) grants ultimate authority *to* practical politics?

I mean, "Trump Do What Trump Want" isn't in the text of Constitution, but neither is judicial review itself.

Killa Koala Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff The current situation where Trump is owned by Russia and Musk is owned by China is not stable. As relations between their respective owners continue to deteriorate Trump and Musk will increasingly find themselves on opposite sides. Something will have to give.

bouriquet Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff That’s yet ANOTHER thing wrong with Presidential powers.

Alex P Roe - OLD ACCOUNT Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff We just know Trump is going to do this, don’t we? National security be damned! Poor USA.

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

@alexproe Oh yes, w/o a doubt.

draNgNon Dec 18, 2024

@GottaLaff I wonder if that is ultimately his reason for supporting trump

sOlOw-NH Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff The irony is that this is the kind of swamp that #tffg kept saying should be drained. We are a nation made up of suckers and the billionaires who control them

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

@solownh Oh, absolutely

JonChevreau 🇨🇦Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff Clearly, Musk views himself as being above the law, just like his Orange Master

Pusher of Pixels Dec 17, 2024

@JonChevreau @GottaLaff yep. The executive can't be meaningfully restricted from executing, or you don't have a functioning system.

And when that non functioning is also a goal of the executive...it's worse

Laffy Dec 17, 2024

@pixelpusher220 That last part. So well said. @JonChevreau

JonChevreau 🇨🇦Dec 17, 2024

@GottaLaff Talk about a Loose Cannon

RichardInSandy Dec 18, 2024

@GottaLaff rules are for little people, not multi-billionaires.

caseyjonesed Dec 18, 2024

@GottaLaff yes give the mad, evil billionaire a top secret security clearance. what could possibly go wrong?