In a major legal development, Elon Musk has been singled out in a lawsuit accusing his office, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), of overstepping its authority to fire federal workers, slash funding, and access sensitive government data. Despite claims from the Trump administration that Musk was merely an advisor, a federal judge ruled he wields significant authority, paving the way for a controversial court battle. With his role now under intense scrutiny, Musk’s future in the White House and his ongoing legal troubles raise serious questions about his power and influence.

Judge Spares Trump From Massive DOGE Lawsuit—Elon Musk Left Holding the Bag for ‘Unauthorized Role’

In a surprising turn of events, a federal judge has dropped former President Donald Trump from a lawsuit that accused him of illegally wielding power to slash government agencies and purge the federal workforce. The lawsuit, filed by 14 states, focused on the Trump administration’s use of a controversial “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), which was led by none other than Elon Musk. The judge’s ruling now leaves Musk alone in the legal battle, with significant implications for both the billionaire and the administration’s actions.

Musk’s Role Under Scrutiny

The lawsuit alleges that Musk, appointed by Trump to head DOGE, lacked any legal authority to oversee massive firings, terminate federal grants, or access sensitive government information and taxpayer data. The 14 states argue that Musk, in his role as head of DOGE, made decisions regarding federal expenditures, contracts, and even the very existence of government agencies—actions they claim were unlawful because Musk never underwent proper appointment by Congress.

While the Trump administration’s attorneys sought to minimize Musk’s role, claiming he was merely serving as a “special government employee” with advisory duties, District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected this defense. She ruled that Musk “occupies a continuing position” and “exercises significant authority” over federal affairs—despite not having been formally appointed by Congress.

“The Constitution does not permit the Executive to commandeer the entire appointments power by unilaterally creating a federal agency pursuant to Executive Order,” Chutkan wrote in her opinion, emphasizing that Musk’s position was unconstitutional. Her ruling allows the lawsuit to proceed, and Musk now faces serious legal ramifications as the case moves forward.

The Impact of DOGE’s Actions

According to the lawsuit, DOGE’s efforts to slash federal spending and restructure the government have caused significant financial harm to the states involved. The plaintiffs argue that Musk’s unauthorized actions in overseeing government operations have deprived the states of essential resources and access to federal funding.

The states claim that Musk’s role in the creation and operation of DOGE, along with his ability to make sweeping decisions without congressional oversight, undermines the principles of American democracy and checks and balances. Musk and Trump, however, have defended DOGE, describing it as a necessary measure to combat “waste, fraud, and abuse” in federal agencies.

DOGE agents, who are essentially federal workers assigned to work under Musk’s direction, have been deployed across various federal agencies to streamline operations and eliminate inefficiencies. However, as the lawsuit suggests, this unregulated and secretive approach to government restructuring has raised serious constitutional questions.

Musk’s Legal Troubles and Ongoing Involvement

Though Musk’s position as a “special government employee” is limited to 130 days per year, the White House has confirmed that he is expected to remain involved with the administration, despite his plans to focus more on Tesla. While officials have tried to downplay Musk’s role in DOGE, shifting the focus to Amy Gleason as the official administrator, Trump has publicly stated that Musk is, in fact, in charge of the department. This inconsistency in messaging has only added fuel to the fire in the ongoing legal dispute.

Musk, who continues to face legal challenges related to his role in DOGE, has made it clear that he plans to scale back his involvement with Washington, D.C., in favor of focusing on his businesses. However, despite these plans, Musk remains a defendant in several lawsuits accusing the Trump administration of overstepping its bounds and wielding power unlawfully to eliminate government programs and personnel.

A Significant Legal Setback for Musk

The legal implications of Judge Chutkan’s ruling are far-reaching. As the case continues to unfold, Musk could face significant challenges in defending his position within the administration. With critics labeling Musk’s actions as unconstitutional and harmful to the proper functioning of government, his continued involvement in the restructuring of federal agencies is likely to be scrutinized even more closely.

Musk’s legal team has not yet commented on the judge’s decision, but with the case moving forward, it is clear that the billionaire’s controversial role in DOGE will remain a major point of contention in the coming months.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Musk and the Trump Administration

While the lawsuit progresses, the fallout from Musk’s involvement in DOGE continues to stir up debates surrounding the power of unelected officials in shaping the federal government. The case represents a larger discussion about the extent to which the executive branch can wield authority without proper checks and balances.

For Musk, this lawsuit marks yet another challenge to his ambitious ventures, both in business and in politics. As the legal proceedings unfold, the public’s perception of Musk’s role in government will be shaped by the outcome of this case. With the ongoing scrutiny, Musk’s ability to maintain his influence in Washington and across his business empire may face a significant test.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in the Legal Battle

With Donald Trump removed from the lawsuit, the focus now shifts squarely onto Elon Musk, who is left to defend his role in the creation and operation of DOGE. The case is set to continue, with both legal experts and the public keenly watching the next developments. Musk’s future in government, and the potential consequences for the Trump administration’s broader efforts to reshape the federal workforce, remain uncertain. For now, all eyes are on Musk as he faces a major legal battle that could have lasting implications for his involvement in both government and business.