Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Hegseth in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart: Washington will continue to defend its interests vigorously
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: The United States is concerned about China's activities in the South China Sea
Occupied Palestine: Israeli occupation forces demolishe residential homes east of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone attacked the main road in the town of Harouf, South Lebanon.
Lebanese President: Israeli aggression on Blida took place in aftermath of meeting of ceasefire monitoring committee.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asks Commander of Lebanese Army to confront any Israeli incursion into liberated Lebanese territory in the South.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli aircraft launch series of strikes on area of Jarmaq, South Lebanon.
Reuters: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul.
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border

House Democrat wants to drug test Musk and DOGE staff: Axios

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Axios
  • 2 Apr 2025 14:06
3 Min Read

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.

Listen
  • x
  • House Democrat wants to drug test Musk and DOGE staff: Axios
    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.

Related News

US still probing China compliance with Phase One trade deal

US slashes refugee admissions, but prioritizes white South Africans

"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.

  • United States
  • Democratic Party
  • DOGE
  • Elon Musk
  • Donald Trump
  • white house

Most Read

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Hamas calls on int’l community to act against Israeli settlement plan

In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AP)
Economy

Ex-US diplomat says Trump-Xi deal 'tactical retreat', not lasting deal

An unarmed Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, during a test in 2002. (US Air Force)
Politics

JD Vance defends Trump's nuclear test plan as 'crucial for security'

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the "million man" protest against military conscription, in occupied al-Quds, October 30, 2025 (AFP)
Politics

Haredi mass rally in al-Quds exposes Zionist regime's growing crisis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS