Elon Musk Ally Leading CHIPS Act Office Purge
The purge of the CHIPS Act office staff under Michael Grimes' leadership marks a significant shift in Washington's semiconductor strategy. With only 22 staffers remaining, the team's core function of incentivizing chip manufacturers to set up domestic production has been severely reduced. The reduction in staff and eventual dismantling of the office's programs reflect broader tensions between executive power and congressional oversight.
- This purge highlights the tension between a president who sees subsidies as "horrible" and lawmakers who believe they're necessary to ensure U.S. competitiveness in emerging technologies.
- How will the CHIPS Act office's legacy of awarding billions of dollars to domestic chip manufacturers be repurposed or replaced by future initiatives?