Elon Musk criticized the Biden-Harris administration for its decision to revoke a grant to Starlink, saying the move likely hindered rescue efforts following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. The tech entrepreneur claims that had the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) not revoked the grant two years ago, Starlink’s satellite broadband service could have played a vital role in the hurricane recovery process.

“Had the FCC not illegally revoked the SpaceX Starlink award, it would probably have saved lives in North Carolina,” Musk tweeted, adding that “lawfare costs lives.”

In 2020, the Trump administration’s FCC awarded Starlink an $885.5 million grant to provide broadband access to rural homes and businesses in 35 states, including areas that have since been devastated by the recent hurricane. However, the Biden-Harris FCC, led by Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, revoked the grant in 2022, citing doubts about Starlink’s ability to deliver on its promises.

Critics, including Musk, argue that the decision was politically motivated. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a Republican, labeled the cancellation “without legal justification,” warning that it would leave rural areas on the “wrong side of the digital divide.”

The recent deployment of Starlink units to help victims of Hurricane Helene highlights the need for the technology in disaster-stricken areas. While the White House has sent dozens of Starlink devices to North Carolina, critics say the state could have had access to thousands more if the FCC had allowed the grant to stand.

Adding to the criticism, Musk’s mother, Maye Musk, condemned the FCC’s decision, tweeting that it endangered American lives by not approving the Starlink grant in time to help communities in need.

The decision is part of a broader critique of the Biden-Harris administration’s broadband policies, with many pointing to Kamala Harris’ role as “Broadband Czar” overseeing a $100 billion program that has yet to connect a single rural household.