Elon Musk faces legal challenge over alleged overreach in DOGE operations
Elon Musk is set to appear in court over his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which marks yet another challenge for the Tesla CEO.
According to court officials, hearings will soon resume in a lawsuit filed by 14 US states. The case challenges the legality of Musk's role in DOGE, a federal body created under US President Donald Trump.
The lawsuit alleges that Tesla's CEO, formally designated as a "special government employee," was in practice acting as the chief executive of DOGE, a department established by executive order without congressional approval. Musk was reportedly granted extensive authority over federal spending, staffing, and regulatory actions.
Plaintiffs claim that Musk and DOGE unilaterally dismantled agencies, canceled federal contracts, and accessed classified systems. According to court filings, these actions violate the US Constitution's Appointments Clause.
In a 42-page opinion, the judge rejected the defendants' motion to dismiss the case against Elon Musk and DOGE, allowing the suit from 14 states to proceed. The court found that DOGE lacked any legislative or constitutional basis and that Musk’s alleged conduct overstepped legal boundaries. However, the judge dismissed the claims against Trump, citing a precedent that prevents the judiciary from interfering in the president's discretionary duties.