Tech billionaire and Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk told Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) not to “be a d‑‑‑” after the lawmaker missed a vote to subpoena Musk and posted about it online.
Earlier Wednesday, Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee quickly shut down an effort from Democrats to subpoena Musk to appear before the panel and face questioning about the ongoing changes to the federal government driven by the Tesla CEO.
The vote failed, 19-20, because Democrats didn’t have enough support. Khanna was one lawmaker unavailable to vote.
In a post on the social platform X, Khanna clarified that he didn’t abstain from the vote; instead, he missed the vote entirely.
“I would have voted yes,” he said. “They called a procedural vote without notice & I like 8 others didn’t make it there on time.”
Khanna criticized Musk for the attacks on various federal institutions, calling them unconstitutional.
“He should be subpoenaed & answer to our committee. They should call the vote again with notice,” Khanna posted.
In a post replying to the lawmaker, Musk said “don’t be a d‑‑‑.”
Khanna later replied to the billionaire, noting that the pair have known each other “a long time.”
“You can’t stop payments that Congress has authorized and appropriated,” he wrote. “Make recommendations to Congress, but don’t stop payments. That’s Article I.”
“Also, let’s debate why we need the DOE,” Khanna said.
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