U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for an investigation into SpaceX and its founder, Elon Musk, following his admission that he blocked Ukraine's access to Starlink to prevent an attack on Russian naval ships near the coast of Crimea.
The senator's demand comes as Musk is expected to participate in a closed-door meeting with senators on Capitol Hill this Wednesday.
Warren, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also expressed her desire for the Department of Defense to review its contractual relationships with SpaceX.
Committee Chairman Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, echoed Warren's concerns, emphasizing that traditionally, governments have controlled satellites and their usage has been determined by presidents.
The call for an investigation was triggered by a revelation from a biography of Musk written by American journalist Walter Isaacson.
The book disclosed that in 2022, Musk secretly ordered the disconnection of Starlink communications near the coast of Crimea to thwart a Ukrainian attack on the Russian naval fleet in Sevastopol. Musk later confirmed the disruption of drone attacks on the Russian fleet in Crimea.
The incident has raised questions about the role of private companies in matters of national security and foreign policy.
It also brings into focus the need for adequate checks and balances to ensure that a single billionaire does not wield undue influence over matters of national and international importance.
