House Democrat wants to drug test Musk and DOGE staff: Axios
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Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) has introduced a bill requiring routine drug testing for Elon Musk and his DOGE staffers, citing national security concerns.
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Elon Musk wears a cheesehead during a town hall Sunday, on March 30, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP)
A House Democrat is pushing forward a bill that would mandate routine drug testing for billionaire Elon Musk and his DOGE staffers, who serve as special government employees, Axios revealed on Wednesday, citing sources.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) introduced the legislation in response to a 2024 Wall Street Journal report alleging Musk had used illegal drugs such as LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, mushrooms, and ketamine.
DOGE representatives did not comment, but Musk’s attorney told the Journal that he is "regularly and randomly drug tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test."
According to a copy of the bill obtained by Axios, special government employees would need to pass a drug test before starting their roles and would then be subject to random testing. Anyone who tests positive for certain illegal substances would be banned from federal employment for at least a year.
Citing Signalgate, Sherrill argued that it is "more important than ever to protect the American people from the Trump Administration's reckless incompetence and blatant disregard for national security."
Musk and several DOGE staffers have been given special government employee status, a classification defined by the Justice Department as applying to individuals working for the government for 130 days or fewer within 365 days. The designation is typically used for subject-matter experts assisting with specific projects.
"Those with access to sensitive information must be thoroughly vetted, clear-eyed, and exercise good judgment," said Sherrill, a former Naval aviator now running for New Jersey governor. She insisted that DOGE employees should "be held to the same standard as other executive branch employees," which includes addressing "conflicts of interest or passing a drug test to maintain employment or a security clearance."
Despite her push, the bill has little chance of becoming law, given that Republicans control both chambers of Congress and the White House.
The latest with Musk
This comes after several changes by the Trump administration, with Musk at the forefront, the latest of which is Musk's plans to redistribute federal spending, modify NASA’s projects, and appoint allies who will support his vision of sending humans to the Red Planet.
Citing sources within SpaceX, the publication suggests that Musk has sought to influence NASA’s strategic direction in favor of Mars exploration.
According to insiders, Musk has also attempted to gain the backing of US President Donald Trump, arguing that facilitating a mission to Mars would secure Trump’s legacy in history.
Musk's involvement in federal policymaking has led some media outlets to refer to him as a "shadow president". He currently holds a key advisory position in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a consultative body aimed at reforming federal operations and reducing waste.
Critics argue that Musk's growing ties to the White House—particularly under President Donald Trump—could tilt the playing field in SpaceX's favor. Some of Trump's allies and appointees now hold key government roles, and several officials previously responsible for investigating ethics violations have been dismissed.
