• Education
    • Higher Education
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Online Learning
    • School Reforms
    • Research & Innovation
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Home & Living
    • Relationships & Family
  • Technology & Startups
    • Software & Apps
    • Startup Success Stories
    • Startups & Innovations
    • Tech Regulations
    • Venture Capital
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Gadgets & Devices
    • Industry Analysis
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Today Headline
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
Today Headline
No Result
View All Result
Home Science & Environment Space Exploration

Senators ask Pentagon and DOJ to investigate Putin-Musk calls

November 19, 2024
in Space Exploration
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
0
Senators ask Pentagon and DOJ to investigate Putin-Musk calls
2
SHARES
4
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


BREMEN, Germany — Two key senators are asking the Department of Justice and the Defense Department to investigate alleged calls between SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk and Russian president Vladimir Putin.

In a pair of letters dated Nov. 15, Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) raised concerns about risks to national security about the calls, reported Oct. 25 by the Wall Street Journal, between Musk and Putin over the last two years.

“These relationships between a well-known U.S. adversary and Mr. Musk, a beneficiary of billions of dollars in U.S. government funding, pose serious questions regarding Mr. Muskâ€s reliability as a government contractor and a clearance holder,†they wrote in one letter, to the inspector general of the Defense Department and Attorney General Merrick Garland, referencing Muskâ€s own statements that he holds a top secret clearance.

Such an investigation is warranted, they said, “to determine whether this behavior should force a review of Mr. Muskâ€s continued involvement in SpaceXâ€s varying contracts with the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community.â€

It is unclear if the Pentagon and the Justice Department will act on the request. Garland will leave office no later than Jan. 20 at the end of the Biden administration, and the incoming Trump administration may be less willing to pursue such claims.

A second letter, to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, raised concerns about relying on SpaceX for space access and communications. That extended beyond the reports of the Musk-Putin calls to dependence on the company as a sole supplier of some capabilities.

“We are also concerned that SpaceXâ€s Starlink is the only commercial service available to offer global broadband connectivity in low-Earth orbit,†the senators wrote. “A robust and competitive space industrial base with multiple providers is the only way the Department can ensure there are options to maintain access to this critical capability in the event of a crisis or conflict.â€

Reed and Shaheen asked Kendall to provide a briefing on this particular case “and on your efforts to increase competition among commercial space capability providers†no later than Dec. 1.

While some claim that SpaceX has a monopoly on areas like launch, the company argues that it is simply executing where others are not. “Itâ€s not a planned monopoly if our competitors could get it together,†Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX, said Nov. 15 at the 31st Annual Baron Investment Conference.

“We have $22 billion worth of government contracts. We earned that. We bid it. We were the lowest price, best bidder. We won, and we execute,†she said. “Itâ€s not a bad thing to serve the U.S. government with great capability and products.â€

Reed is the current chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, while Shaheen serves on that committee and also chairs the commerce, justice and science subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which funds NASA.

NASA was not included in the letters, and its reliance on SpaceX did not come up. However, the day of the Wall Street Journal report, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his concerns about the potential conversations.

“I think it should be investigated,†he said at a Semafor conference. “If the story is true that there have been multiple conversations between Elon Musk and the president of Russia, then I think that would be concerning, particularly for NASA, for the Department of Defense, for some of the intelligence agencies.â€

Shotwell, at the investment conference, was not asked and did not discuss the alleged calls between Putin and Musk. “Our relationship with NASA is really extraordinary,†she said.

Related

Tags: Elon MuskGwynne ShotwellSenate
Previous Post

This Fantastic Dividend Stock Is Looking to Expand Into an Emerging $8 Trillion Market Opportunity | The Motley Fool

Next Post

Why politicians and industry groups are calling Mexico a ‘backdoor’ for Chinese EV automakers

Related Posts

A white sphere sits on a black legged stand on top of a white surface with black buttons on one side of the sphere.

Sega Toys Homestar Classic star projector review

June 7, 2025
6
Still from the video game Everspace – Stellar Edition. A spaceship is flying through the broken debris of a satellite and some asteroids.

Best space & sci-fi games on Nintendo Switch 2025: Metroid Prime, Citizen Sleeper, No Man’s Sky, & more

June 7, 2025
7
Next Post
Why politicians and industry groups are calling Mexico a 'backdoor' for Chinese EV automakers

Why politicians and industry groups are calling Mexico a 'backdoor' for Chinese EV automakers

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

April 2, 2025
Pioneering 3D printing project shares successes

Product reduces TPH levels to non-hazardous status

November 27, 2024

Hospital Mergers Fail to Deliver Better Care or Lower Costs, Study Finds todayheadline

December 31, 2024

Police ID man who died after Corso Italia fight

December 23, 2024
Harris tells supporters 'never give up' and urges peaceful transfer of power

Harris tells supporters ‘never give up’ and urges peaceful transfer of power

0
Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend's Mother

Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother

0

Trump ‘looks forward’ to White House meeting with Biden

0
Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

0
Botox

New rules for cosmetic injectables aim to make the industry safer. Will they work?

June 7, 2025
Judge approves $2.8B settlement, paving way for US colleges to pay athletes millions

Judge approves $2.8B settlement, paving way for US colleges to pay athletes millions

June 7, 2025

Bongino, Patel defend ICE amid unrest over Los Angeles raids

June 7, 2025
Lee Jae-myung | A liberal in the Blue House

Lee Jae-myung | A liberal in the Blue House

June 7, 2025

Recent News

Botox

New rules for cosmetic injectables aim to make the industry safer. Will they work?

June 7, 2025
5
Judge approves $2.8B settlement, paving way for US colleges to pay athletes millions

Judge approves $2.8B settlement, paving way for US colleges to pay athletes millions

June 7, 2025
5

Bongino, Patel defend ICE amid unrest over Los Angeles raids

June 7, 2025
4
Lee Jae-myung | A liberal in the Blue House

Lee Jae-myung | A liberal in the Blue House

June 7, 2025
5

TodayHeadline is a dynamic news website dedicated to delivering up-to-date and comprehensive news coverage from around the globe.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Basketball
  • Business & Finance
  • Climate Change
  • Crime & Justice
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic Policies
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Policies
  • Europe
  • Football
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Health
  • Medical Research
  • Mental Health
  • Middle East
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Politics
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Science & Environment
  • Software & Apps
  • Space Exploration
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Technology & Startups
  • Tennis
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Us & Canada
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • World News

Recent News

Botox

New rules for cosmetic injectables aim to make the industry safer. Will they work?

June 7, 2025
Judge approves $2.8B settlement, paving way for US colleges to pay athletes millions

Judge approves $2.8B settlement, paving way for US colleges to pay athletes millions

June 7, 2025
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology & Startups
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Todayheadline.co

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Business & Finance
  • Corporate News
  • Economic Policies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Market Trends
  • Crime & Justice
  • Court Cases
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Cybercrime
  • Legal Reforms
  • Policing
  • Education
  • Higher Education
  • Online Learning
  • Entertainment
  • Awards & Festivals
  • Celebrity News
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Health
  • Fitness & Nutrition
  • Medical Breakthroughs
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemic Updates
  • Lifestyle
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Living
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Government Policies
  • International Relations
  • Legislative News
  • Political Parties
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Industry Analysis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Climate Change
  • Environmental Policies
  • Medical Research
  • Science & Environment
  • Space Exploration
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • Sports
  • Tennis
  • Technology & Startups
  • Software & Apps
  • Startup Success Stories
  • Startups & Innovations
  • Tech Regulations
  • Venture Capital
  • Uncategorized
  • World News
  • Us & Canada
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Travel
  • Research & Innovation
  • Scholarships & Grants
  • School Reforms
  • Stock Market
  • TV & Streaming
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • About us
  • Contact

© 2024 Todayheadline.co