Elon Musk delivered a grim warning on Friday, drawing parallels between the current state of the United States and the collapse of the Roman Empire.
His remarks came in response to recent policies, including the hiring of noncitizens as police officers, a move that Musk believes could signal the downfall of the nation.
Musk’s comparison centers on the idea that empires historically last around 250 years before collapsing, and with America at 248 years old, he suggests we may have less than two years left.
Coupled with global tensions, including the looming threat of World War III, Musk’s message was clear: the end of America’s prominence might be near.
This reaction followed news from the Minneapolis Police Department, which recently swore in its first noncitizen police officer, Lesly Vera, a Mexican immigrant, as well as its first Somali female officer, Ikran Mohamed. Vera, a permanent resident, became the subject of controversy due to her noncitizen status.
Critics argue that allowing noncitizens to serve in law enforcement raises concerns about loyalty, citizenship, and accountability.
Detractors fear potential complications should officers like Vera face situations involving contentious use of force, particularly in a city still recovering from the unrest following George Floyd’s death.
Minneapolis, a city that saw violent protests and the burning of a police station after Floyd’s death in 2020, now finds itself at the center of another debate—this time, over the role of noncitizens in law enforcement.
Floyd’s death, ruled a homicide but complicated by the presence of drugs in his system, sparked nationwide protests.
The city remains a symbol of the tension between police and communities of color, adding another layer of complexity to the conversation about noncitizen officers.
Musk’s concerns extend beyond law enforcement. He warns that allowing noncitizens to serve as police officers could pave the way for their inclusion in the military, further weakening the foundational principles of the nation.
Critics of recent changes argue that such policies erode the concept of citizenship and blur the lines between citizens’ rights and those of noncitizens.
Musk also linked these developments to broader cultural and social shifts, citing examples such as men competing in women’s sports, children being allowed to make life-altering decisions about their gender, and the ongoing debate around race and equity.
He expressed frustration with what he sees as a country in moral decline, where traditional values are being abandoned, and divisive policies are taking root.
By drawing a parallel to the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD, Musk suggested that America’s trajectory may mirror that of past civilizations—once mighty empires that crumbled under the weight of internal strife, cultural decline, and poor governance.
He urged Americans to take note of these warning signs and consider the long-term consequences of the nation’s current path.
In Musk’s view, policies like hiring noncitizens as police officers may be a symptom of deeper issues—a sign that the United States is straying from its founding principles.
His message was not only a critique of current policies but a call for Americans to reflect on the future of the country before it’s too late.
“Near the fall of the Roman Empire, the Roman Army also increasingly relied on non-citizens,” said Musk on X:
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1839813945559003286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
