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Starting on that day, X will be run by the head of a department of the US federal government. As they point out, it’s turned into a site full of misinformation

by hedora 2y ago

Starting on that day, X will be run by the head of a department of the US federal government. As they point out, it’s turned into a site full of misinformation and political rhetoric, and Musk decides what’s acceptable. So, it’ll literally be a government-run propaganda site as of that date. Precedent says the press should not touch it. State run propaganda sites that target domestic audiences are illegal in the US, so, by law, Musk should be forced to divest, or stop operating X in the US. Of course, I’m not holding my breath. I don’t expect any member of the Trump administration to obey the law, and I’m sure plenty of people will defend them when they do break it.

aaron695 2y ago
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nickff 2y ago
"Despite the name, it would not be a federal executive department, which would require an act of Congress to create, instead it will serve as an advisory body operating outside of government. According to CBS News, it may operate under the Federal Advisory Committee Act." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Efficiency#Functions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Effic...
- croes 2y ago
  Sounds more like a legal trick to create a department without following the proper laws.
- woodruffw 2y ago
  My understanding of Smith-Mundt (including its 2012 revision) is that being an "advisory body" would not meaningfully discharge the group's relationship with the US Government. Calling it a "department" certainly doesn't help the case.
- rsynnott 2y ago
  I’m not sure that that makes it _better_, honestly.
shiroiushi 2y ago
As the sister reply says, Elon isn't going to be the head of a federal department at all. DOGE will just be an "advisory" group (wink, wink). Of course, Trump will probably do whatever they advise him to do as far as cutting things, so it's not that much of a meaningful distinction, but it is a legal distinction which should avoid the legal issue you refer to (Xitter being run by a department head).

by hedora 2y ago

aaron695 2y ago

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nickff 2y ago

"Despite the name, it would not be a federal executive department, which would require an act of Congress to create, instead it will serve as an advisory body operating outside of government. According to CBS News, it may operate under the Federal Advisory Committee Act." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Efficiency#Functions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Effic...

croes 2y ago
Sounds more like a legal trick to create a department without following the proper laws.
woodruffw 2y ago
My understanding of Smith-Mundt (including its 2012 revision) is that being an "advisory body" would not meaningfully discharge the group's relationship with the US Government. Calling it a "department" certainly doesn't help the case.
rsynnott 2y ago
I’m not sure that that makes it _better_, honestly.

shiroiushi 2y ago

As the sister reply says, Elon isn't going to be the head of a federal department at all. DOGE will just be an "advisory" group (wink, wink). Of course, Trump will probably do whatever they advise him to do as far as cutting things, so it's not that much of a meaningful distinction, but it is a legal distinction which should avoid the legal issue you refer to (Xitter being run by a department head).