Sen. Warren goes after Elon Musk, the MBTA, and cryptocurrency. All in one day.

On Sunday, Senator Elizabeth Warren challenged both political and corporate heavyweights.

A Massachusetts senator sent a letter to Dr. Robin Denholm, chairman of Tesla’s board, asking whether Elon Musk was still fit to run an electric car company while also serving as CEO of Twitter. After that, it became a hot topic.

Earlier in the day, Warren took part in WBZ political reporter John Keller’s weekly interview show, Keller @ Large, skewing the MBTA’s response to security concerns and criticizing Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton for Ukraine. objected to the approach of

Here’s what she had to say:

Musk’s actions ’cause a lot of concern’

Warren said Musk’s choices have led to conflicts of interest and misuse of Tesla’s assets since Musk took over Twitter, and asked several of Tesla’s top employees to spend time working on Twitter. It is reported

The senator also said Musk now offers free advertising to Tesla via Twitter, giving it the opportunity to use Tesla’s advertising dollars to bolster Twitter if the company begins to falter financially. said.

“It is unclear whether Tesla’s board of directors… is adequately governing the company or has established clear rules and policies to address the risks to Tesla posed by Mr. Musk’s dual role. remains,” she wrote.

Warren asked Tesla’s board of directors to answer 12 questions by Jan. 3 about any safeguards Mr. Musk has created to protect the independence of Twitter and Tesla. .

MBTA has administrative issues

When asked if Keller was happy with the changes made in the MBTA following the Federal Transportation Administration’s (FTA) review of the transit authority and her own Senate hearings on its safety issues, Warren said: I said no and the change was necessary. urgently.

T came up with solutions to the problems identified by the FTA, but the FTA found about half of those solutions inadequate, she said.

“So we have a problem that hasn’t been fixed,” she said.

When asked what the main problem was, Warren said management was to blame.

“Money has always been a problem. But while you can back up a pickup load full of money, it doesn’t solve the transparency problem. It doesn’t solve the safety first problem. Actually getting the job done.” We can’t solve the problem of reaching out and building a workforce that can do it,” she said.

More Constraints on Cryptocurrencies

Regarding the influence of cryptocurrency companies in politics, Warren said he does not want to fund politics any more, especially from corporate PACs.

But more broadly, Warren said governments need to regulate cryptocurrencies more.

“I worry a lot about crypto issues in general. she said.

That is why Warren said he would introduce an anti-money laundering bill this week that would impose the same kind of restrictions on cryptocurrency exchanges already in place for banks, brokerage firms and Western Union.

Warren defends Wu, Baker eases mask mandate

Warren, who recently voted against lifting mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for members of the military, spoke about the reluctance of politicians such as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Governor Charlie Baker to restore vaccine and mask mandates. I was asked if I thought

“I think this is trying to follow the science. We get the best information we can and make decisions based on that, and things have changed,” she said.

In the meantime, Warren said people worried about COVID-19, flu, and other illnesses should get vaccinated.

“If the CDC says it’s time to wear a mask, I’ll put it back on,” she said.

On Moulton’s approach to Ukraine

In contrast to Massachusetts Sixth Rep. Seth Moulton’s recent statements that the US should weapon Ukraine whatever it wants, Warren has taken a more cautious approach.

“I agree that we should help Ukraine. They are very encouraging supporters. But we always have to think about the escalation of the war. , is different from providing an offensive weapon that can be deployed in Russia.This is the line the Pentagon has drawn so far, and I stand by it,” she said.

When asked about the difference between these two types of aid, Warren said it was important to consider that Russia is a nuclear state.

“We do not want to be a party to an escalating conflict between Russia and the United States. We want to help Ukraine for its independence. We are there to help them defend themselves against the onslaught and we are even there to help them fight to take back the territory Russia has taken from them But the issue of using American weapons against Russia would be another line,” she said.

Still, Warren is a more cautious analyst who believes the U.S. should not help Ukraine retake Crimea, which was invaded and annexed by Russia on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014. I disagreed with you.

“I think it’s part of Ukraine and Ukraine has the right to territorial integrity,” she said.