US senators are concerned about Musk's likely contacts with Russian officials, in particular Sergei Kiriyenko.
The US has called for an investigation into information about Elon Musk's calls to Russian officials, in particular Russian President Vladimir Putin, due to threats to national security security.
Two senior Democratic senators said in a letter obtained by Reuters.
“Reports that billionaire Elon Musk had multiple phone calls with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, should be investigated by the Pentagon and law enforcement agencies on national security grounds,” the agency wrote.
Elon Musk, a government appointee under Donald Trump, oversees billions of dollars in contracts with the Pentagon and intelligence agencies as the head of SpaceX.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Jack Reed have called on the U.S. attorney general and the Pentagon inspector general to investigate Elon Musk's involvement in SpaceX programs over his conversations with Russian officials. They suggested they consider removing him from contracts and benefits.
In a letter released Friday, the lawmakers said “the relationship between a known U.S. adversary and Mr. Musk, who receives billions of dollars in government funding, raises serious questions about his credibility as a government contractor and security clearance holder.”
Several Democratic lawmakers have publicly called for an investigation into Musk's ties to Moscow after the Wall Street Journal reported on the alleged contact last month. However, the letter to US officials who could initiate such an investigation has not been previously published.
Shaheen and Reade's call for a federal investigation is an unlikely effort as Trump prepares to return to the White House with the support of Musk, who spent more than $119 million on the campaign and has been named co-director of the president-elect's future Office of Government Effectiveness.
SpaceX, Musk, and the Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon and the Justice Department also did not respond to similar requests.
On Russian Contacts
In 2022, reports emerged that Elon Musk had communicated with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, about the war in Ukraine and the possible use of nuclear weapons. Musk has denied the claims, claiming that his conversations with Putin were only about space. However, in October 2023, the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported that Musk had several conversations with Russian officials, including Putin and Sergei Kiriyenko, the first deputy head of the Russian administration.
These contacts raised concerns among US senators, who stressed the need for an investigation, since Musk has access to classified information related to his company SpaceX, which carries out large contracts with the Pentagon and NASA. The senators said that such ties could pose a threat to US national security, especially against the backdrop of escalating tensions in space following Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
Recall that Elon Musk held a secret meeting with Iranian Ambassador to the UN Amir Saeed Iravan in New York. According to Iranian sources, the possibility of reducing tensions between the US and Iran was discussed.
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