US Congress Calls for an Investigation into Musk's Actions Regarding Starlink
On Wednesday, October 21, the U.S. Congress called for an investigation into Elon Musk’s decision to limit Starlink speeds for Ukraine. U.S. lawmakers described these actions as a potential criminal matter and a threat to national security.
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick spoke about this on CNN.
What is being said in Congress?
The politician emphasized that this matter cannot be swept under the rug. According to him, witnesses must be summoned to court under oath to get to the bottom of the incident. Representatives of the Democratic Party have also joined the calls to hold the founder of SpaceX accountable.
Fitzpatrick stated that a unilateral order to slow down the communications system for the Ukrainian military could be a direct violation of U.S. law. For her part, Democratic Congresswoman Elizabeth Ann Warren cautioned against a situation in which a private individual effectively interferes in Washington’s foreign policy.
“We would like to know exactly who is responsible for what happened. If it is one person – Elon Musk – who is dictating our foreign policy, then he is exposing the U.S. to enormous risk,”
Warren emphasized.
It should be noted that on Wednesday, October 21, The Wall Street Journal reported that the order to restrict the operation of the military version of Starshield, which is used by the Ukrainian Defense Forces, came from Elon Musk himself. According to the publication’s sources, SpaceX and the White House coordinated their communication after the company’s CEO issued the directive.
What is known about the Starlink speed restrictions?
As a reminder, difficulties with data transmission on the front lines arose as early as the night of October 14. The imposition of limits on terminal operation while moving at speeds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour caused disruptions in logistics, derailed a number of combat missions, and created obstacles for interceptor drones.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the Starlink slowdown a major mistake and later noted that the equipment stops working at speeds of 130–161 kilometers per hour. Previously, the company’s founder had insisted that any restrictions on the military package were determined by the U.S. military and government, not by SpaceX. At the same time, journalists discovered that it was the billionaire himself who had suggested to Donald Trump that speed limits be imposed on internet connections in Ukraine.