Federal Reviews of Elon Musk and SpaceX

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Elon Musk and SpaceX are undergoing at least three federal reviews to assess compliance with reporting rules intended to safeguard national security, as reported by the New York Times.

Key Details:

• Initiating Agencies: Reviews are led by the Air Force, the Defense Department's inspector general, and the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security.
• Compliance Issues: Musk and SpaceX have reportedly failed to meet federal reporting protocols, particularly regarding meetings with foreign leaders.
• Security Access Denied: The Air Force recently cited potential security risks when denying Musk's request for high-level security access. Concerns are also raised by allies, including Israel, about the potential sharing of sensitive data.

Political Reaction:

Last month, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Jack Reed called for investigations into Musk’s communications with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, on national security grounds.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall acknowledged concerns but could not comment on any individual's security clearance status in response to Shaheen's inquiry.