Elon Musk's DOGE Department Threatened With A Lawsuit As Soon As Trump Is Inaugurated

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, could face legal action as soon as it is officially established. The law firm National Security Counselors is preparing a 30-page complaint, alleging violations of federal transparency law.

Imminent lawsuit against the DOGE led by Elon Musk

The law firm National Security Counselors plans to file a complaint against the DOGE as soon as the presidential inauguration. According to the Washington Post, this legal action targets alleged violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972, which imposes strict rules for transparency and recruitment for executive committees.

The 30-page complaint, also reviewed by the newspaper, claims that the DOGE is not exempt from the FACA requirements. It emphasizes the obligation to open all agency meetings to the public, including those held online, a practice that the DOGE allegedly did not adhere to according to the complainants.

Kel McClanahan, executive director of National Security Counselors, highlights in the document the need for more transparent management, including the systematic holding of minutes and better citizen participation, practices already common in similar agencies.

Created last November by Trump, the DOGE has a stated mission of reducing public spending and streamlining government regulations. However, its current operation raises significant legal questions regarding compliance with federal transparency standards.

Implications for the future of the DOGE

The appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the DOGE had sparked significant excitement, particularly within the crypto community. The acronym shared with Dogecoin even caused a spectacular increase in the value of this cryptocurrency.

The department, whose mission is scheduled to end on July 4, 2026, aims to present a major reform plan coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. Its stated goal is to create a “smaller, more efficient, and less bureaucratic government.”

However, the ongoing lawsuit could seriously jeopardize the DOGE’s mission. If the complaint is successful, the agency could be forced to fundamentally review its practices to comply with the transparency requirements imposed by FACA law. A new legal challenge for Elon Musk who, since January 14, is already facing SEC accusations for deliberately delaying his disclosures regarding Twitter stock purchases in 2022.