Nashville Democrat Jeff Yarbro Wants Elon Musk in ‘Jail’ if DOGE ‘Hurts Tennesseans’ by Blocking Federal Grants

Tennessee State Senator Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) on Thursday filed legislation that he said could lead to the jailing of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk, if the government reformer’s work “hurts Tennesseans” by denying them grant funding through DOGE’s efforts to cut wasteful spending.

Senate Bill (SB) 1128 by Jeff Yarbro, submitted Thursday as the “Shielding Tennesseans from Oligarchic Power and Eliminating Lawless Obstruction of Necessities” (STOP ELON) Act, would create a new felony offense that would be applied to anyone who, according to a description of the bill, interferes “with an individual’s or entity’s receipt of a loan, grant, or financial assistance,” to which the government previously said they were entitled.

In addition to punishing the freezing of grant funding as a theft, the legislation would authorize those who had their funding frozen to file a civil lawsuit against the person responsible.

The law comes shortly after the Trump administration’s executive orders and memos have ordered agencies to freeze all discretionary spending, including the dispersal of grant money, while the White House determines which programs do not violate executive orders signed by the president.

Yarbro said in a statement that the government’s efforts to curtail spending could land Musk behind the bars of a Tennessee jail.

“If Elon Musk illegally hurts Tennesseans, he should go to jail regardless of being a trillionaire or whatever and regardless of whether he’s got a permission slip from the president,” said Yarbro.

The Nashville Democrat appeared to acknowledge the legislation is likely destined for defeat under the Republican super majority in the General Assembly, stating that it “may not get bipartisan support,” but asserted that Republicans would ultimately object, “if the overreach of some 20-year-old leads to the closing of preschools, overdose prevention programs and rural hospitals.”

Yarbro did not explain how the Trump administration’s efforts to cut waste, including through reexamining government grants, could lead to such repercussions. He also claimed the Trump administration could threaten Social Security payments and coverage for those on Medicaid or Medicare.

State Representative Jason Powell (D-Nashville), who submitted a yet-to-be numbered version of the legislation in the State House, similarly said the bill was targeted at Musk.

“People like Elon Musk need to understand that they are not invincible and the STOP ELON Act makes it crystal clear — no one is above the law,” Powell stated.

Despite Nashville Democrats agitating against Musk, the billionaire owner of the social media platform X recently announced a major investment in another part of Tennessee, as Musk’s xAI announced plans last year to build the world’s largest supercomputer in Memphis.

While it remains unclear exactly who would be victims to Musk under the STOP ELON Act, officials at Vanderbilt University recently scrubbed the institution’s web page that was previously devoted to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) amid the Trump administration’s freeze on all funding related to controversial DEI programs.

– – –

Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “State Senator Jeff Yarbro” by State Senator Jeff Yarbro.