Legal storm hits Musk’s DOGE as Trump’s presidency kicks off

Lawsuits complicate DOGE’s goal of cutting $500 billion in annual federal expenditures

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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by tech magnates Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has come under legal fire as Donald Trump begins his second term as US President.

Two lawsuits, filed on Monday in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, accuse DOGE of violating the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The act mandates federal advisory committees to maintain transparency, balance, and accessibility in their operations.

One suit, brought forward by National Security Counselors, claims DOGE is functioning as a federal advisory body without adhering to FACA’s stipulations. Another coalition, representing diverse professional groups, seeks an immediate suspension of DOGE’s activities until it complies with federal law.

Critics argue that DOGE’s composition, which reportedly includes tech executives, Trump affiliates, and associates of Musk and Ramaswamy, fails to represent federal employee perspectives. Concerns also extend to allegations of closed-door meetings, a potential breach of FACA's public transparency requirements.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump have not commented on the legal challenges, while Ramaswamy is expected to exit DOGE to pursue his Ohio gubernatorial campaign later this month.

The lawsuits add a layer of complexity to DOGE’s ambitious goal of cutting $500 billion in annual federal expenditures. Legal analysts suggest that failing to address compliance issues could undermine the initiative’s credibility and effectiveness.