Elon Musk and Donald Trump Sued By 14 States Over Alleged Unconstitutional Role At DOGE

In a bid to cut government spending, the Trump administration authorized tech billionaire Elon Musk to handle the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). However, this decision has come under scrutiny as many deem it to be unconstitutional. Both Donald Trump and Elon Musk are now facing lawsuits from a coalition of 14 states led by New Mexico.

DOGE

DOGE, which stands for Department of Government Efficiency, was introduced by the Trump administration to cut government spending with Elon Musk slated to be leading it. However, Musk and his involvement with the department has raised many questions as one person now wields the power to cut federal funding and fire government employees. 

The DOGE is currently authorized to make decisions around the distribution of public funds, government contracts, regulations, and altering data systems. The government aims to cut at least $1 Trillion in funding which has brought many government employees under the axe. 

The Lawsuit

A total of 14 states have alleged that Musk’s role as the head of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) violates the appointment clause of the constitution. The states behind the lawsuit include Arizona, Michigan, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and New Mexico.

The lawsuit aims to bar Musk and his aides from taking any further actions until his appointment is approved by the Senate. The state wrote, “Mr. Musk’s seemingly limitless and unchecked power to strip the government of its workforce and eliminate entire departments with the stroke of a pen or click of a mouse would have been shocking to those who won this country’s independence.”

They further said that “There is no office of the United States, other than the President, with the full power of the Executive Branch, and the sweeping authority now vested in a single unelected and unconfirmed individual is antithetical to the nation’s entire constitutional structure.”

Series of Lawsuits

This isn’t the first time that the Trump-Musk duo has come under scrutiny. Yesterday only a group of government employees filed a lawsuit against the duo, aiming to stop Musk from accessing sensitive data and removing employees until the billionaire is “properly appointed pursuant to the U.S. Constitution.” 

Additionally, another lawsuit was filed against the Trump administration by New York Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other state attorneys general, accusing the administration of accessing personal data housed in the Treasury Department.

Despite all the allegations and legal hurdles, Trump stands strong for DOGE. Talking to reporters, Trump said “We have to make our government smaller, more efficient, more effective and a lot less expensive, and we could find a trillion dollars. But we’re being hindered by courts where they file in certain courts where it’s very hard to win and a judge will stop us.”

Also Read:

• Ramaswamy Eyes Ohio Governorship, Plans Departure From DOGE
• Bill Gates Slams Elon Musk's Political Shift: ‘Insane’
• Elon Musk Adjusts DOGE's Budget Cut Target To $1 Trillion