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Elon Musk’s Influence Expands into U.S. Government Amid Controversy

A recent development in Washington has sparked concerns about the growing influence of Elon Musk’s associates within key government agencies. Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old with limited professional experience, has reportedly taken on advisory roles at both the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), raising eyebrows among diplomats and security experts alike.

A Rapid Rise to Power

Coristine, previously associated with Musk’s brain-chip company Neuralink, has now secured a position within the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology at the State Department. This bureau, responsible for handling both classified and unclassified data, plays a critical role in America’s diplomatic operations. His presence in such a sensitive position has triggered concerns about potential security risks, particularly given reports of his involvement in previous data leaks.

Adding to the controversy, Coristine also holds roles at the Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. DOGE Service—an entity established to drive federal efficiency but increasingly viewed as a mechanism for Musk’s direct influence over government affairs. His multiple affiliations make it difficult to determine the full scope of his responsibilities, sparking fears about transparency and oversight.

A Larger Pattern of Influence

Coristine’s appointment is not an isolated incident. The DOGE initiative, backed by Musk and the Trump administration, has placed several young tech professionals into high-stakes federal roles. Many of these recruits, often under 25, lack traditional political experience but wield significant decision-making power over critical government functions.

At the Treasury Department, a 25-year-old DOGE staffer, Marko Elez, recently departed after revelations of controversial online posts. Despite this, Musk and Vice President JD Vance have signaled their intent to reinstate him. Similarly, Silicon Valley executive Tom Krause, another DOGE figure, now oversees a sensitive Treasury payments system.

Implications for National Security

Perhaps most alarming is DOGE’s reach into DHS, where Coristine has also been appointed as a senior adviser. DHS officials, speaking anonymously, expressed concern that inexperienced individuals with unclear vetting processes could compromise national security, especially in areas such as border protection, disaster response, and counterterrorism.

“There’s a real risk here,” said a DHS insider. “They’re making changes without fully understanding the systems in place.”

The presence of DOGE personnel at USAID, an agency that Musk has openly criticized and sought to downsize, further fuels speculation about the initiative’s long-term objectives. With plans to slash USAID’s workforce from 10,000 to just 600 employees, many diplomats worry about the broader implications for America’s global humanitarian efforts.

What Comes Next?

With Coristine and his peers embedded in key government agencies, the extent of DOGE’s influence remains an open question. While proponents argue that injecting tech-savvy professionals into the bureaucracy could modernize government operations, critics warn that these appointments may be prioritizing personal agendas over national interests.

The State Department and DHS have yet to issue official statements clarifying Coristine’s specific roles. Meanwhile, concerns persist over whether this influx of young, Musk-aligned technologists is truly aimed at government efficiency—or if it represents an unprecedented shift in power dynamics within federal agencies.

As this situation unfolds, all eyes will be on Washington to see how—or if—oversight mechanisms can keep up with this rapidly evolving landscape.