Fourteen U.S. states have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s position as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Led by New Mexico, the states argue that Musk’s broad powers violate the U.S. Constitution. Notably, the lawsuit includes two states with Republican governors from President Trump’s party.
States Accuse Musk of Overstepping Authority
The states claim that Musk, as DOGE head, holds too much power. They accuse him of acting as a "designated agent of chaos" and say his unchecked authority is dangerous. The lawsuit argues, “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 a click of a mouse, would have been shocking to those who won this country's independence.”
Furthermore, the complaint adds, “There is no greater threat to democracy than the accumulation of state power in the hands of a single, unelected individual.” The states argue that Musk’s expansive role should require formal nomination and Senate confirmation, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution’s Appointments Clause.
States Seek to Block DOGE’s Actions
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Washington, D.C., includes states such as California, Arizona, Hawaii, and Vermont. Nevada and Vermont have Republican governors. The states argue that the president cannot override laws related to the executive branch’s structure and federal spending. Therefore, they claim the president cannot create or abolish federal agencies.
Musk’s Role Under Scrutiny
Additionally, the states argue that DOGE has expanded far beyond an advisory role. They claim the department has involved itself in at least 17 federal agencies. As a result, they seek to have Musk’s actions declared unlawful and unconstitutional.
Trump and Musk Defend DOGE’s Purpose
In response to the lawsuits, both President Trump and Elon Musk have defended DOGE. They argue that the department's goal is to “root out vast government waste and potentially even criminal corruption” within federal agencies.