It's Time to Write Your Representatives - February 2025
There is significant turmoil in the United States due to the actions of the Trump administration and the rapid developments unfolding. Some of these actions are illegal and pose a constitutional crisis. I’ve created a template to help you clearly articulate your concerns to your representatives.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Representative’s Name]
[Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Representative’s Name],
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding recent actions by the Trump administration and Elon Musk that I believe undermine the integrity of our government, threaten economic stability, and violate constitutional principles.
1. Unauthorized Access to Treasury Department’s Payment Systems
Recent reports indicate that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been granted access to the U.S. Treasury Department’s payment systems, which handle sensitive personal information and disburse trillions of dollars annually, including Social Security and Medicare benefits. This unprecedented access, traditionally reserved for non-political career officials, raises significant concerns about the security and privacy of citizens’ financial data.
Senator Ron Wyden has already raised concerns that Musk’s team may use this access to withhold or manipulate government payments, a potential abuse of power that must be investigated immediately.
Read more here
2. Conflict of Interest: Musk’s Role at DOGE and Government Contracts
Musk’s appointment to DOGE while his companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, and The Boring Company, hold billions of dollars in government contracts represents a severe conflict of interest. Allowing an individual with extensive financial ties to federal contracts to oversee government efficiency, budget allocations, and payments creates an environment ripe for self-dealing and corruption.
This conflict raises urgent questions:
- Will Musk’s role at DOGE allow him to prioritize contracts that benefit his companies over other government initiatives?
- Is Musk using his access to Treasury data to gain financial or competitive advantages?
- Has there been a review of ethics compliance or a recusal process put in place?
These concerns demand an immediate ethics review and strong congressional oversight to ensure that federal decision-making remains impartial and free from corporate influence.
3. Suspension and Potential Dismantling of USAID
The administration has frozen foreign aid programs and is reportedly attempting to merge USAID into the State Department, effectively eliminating its autonomy. This move may violate the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which prohibits the executive branch from unilaterally withholding congressionally allocated funds.
This disruption to critical humanitarian aid efforts harms international stability and further erodes congressional authority over budgetary matters.
Read more here
4. Harmful Economic Impact of Tariffs on Everyday Americans
The administration’s new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China will have devastating consequences for middle- and lower-class Americans. These policies will:
- Raise prices on essential goods, including food, clothing, electronics, and household necessities.
- Hurt small businesses that rely on imported materials for manufacturing.
- Lead to job losses in industries dependent on trade.
- Worsen inflation, further straining American families already struggling with high costs of living.
Tariffs function as a hidden tax on consumers, with corporations passing increased costs down to everyday Americans. At a time of economic uncertainty, these policies will hurt working families the most while providing little benefit.
What I Urge You to Do
As my elected representative, I ask that you:
- Investigate Musk’s unauthorized access to Treasury systems to ensure Americans’ financial data and benefits are secure.
- Hold hearings on Musk’s conflict of interest at DOGE and demand full transparency on how his government contracts are being handled.
- Oppose the unlawful withholding or reallocation of congressionally appropriated funds, particularly the USAID freeze.
- Advocate against harmful tariff policies that will increase the cost of living for working-class Americans.
Congress must exercise its oversight responsibilities to uphold the rule of law, prevent unethical behavior, and ensure economic policies do not disproportionately harm the most vulnerable citizens.
Thank you for your time and attention to these urgent matters. I look forward to your response and to learning about the actions you will take to address these concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]