Two senior Democratic senators have called for a federal investigation into Elon Musk’s reported communications with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, raising concerns over national security. In a letter addressed to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Pentagon’s inspector general, Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Jack Reed questioned Musk’s reliability as a government contractor and clearance holder due to his role as CEO of SpaceX, a key contractor for Pentagon and intelligence agencies.
The senators urged a review of Musk’s eligibility for defense contracts following reports by The Wall Street Journal that Musk had multiple conversations with Russian officials, including Putin and Sergei Kiriyenko, the latter charged by the U.S. for leading a Russian propaganda campaign. Musk has denied some of the allegations, claiming his last contact with Putin was over 18 months ago to discuss space-related topics.
Musk’s SpaceX dominates U.S. space operations, holding billions of dollars in contracts with NASA, the Pentagon, and intelligence agencies. The company’s Starlink satellite internet service plays a critical role in Ukraine’s military operations and U.S. defense communications.
The senators also addressed concerns about SpaceX’s dominant role, urging the Department of Defense to diversify its reliance on commercial space providers. They warned that Musk’s reported behavior could pose significant risks to national security and called for increased competition in satellite communications and launch services.
