Elon Musk’s DOGE Cut 30 NHTSA Workers Overseeing Safety Self-Driving Vehicles, Raising Conflict Of Interest Concerns

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency reportedly laid off 30 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration employees in February, according to Newsweek. The cuts primarily targeted the Office of Vehicle Automation Safety, which oversees risks related to self-driving cars. Critics said the move raises conflict-of-interest concerns, given Musk’s role as Tesla CEO. The NHTSA has opened several investigations into Tesla crashes and issued two major recalls in 2025. Trump defended Musk at a Cabinet meeting, praising his team’s “computer savvy.”