DOGE In Trouble: Elon Musk Faces Lawsuit As Trump Takes Office

Elon Musk’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is facing legal scrutiny yet again. This time, however, it is through a lawsuit stating that it’s not in compliance with federal transparency rules.

The National Security Counselors argue that DOGE should be bound by the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972. That law requires any advisory committee that assists the US government to observe strict transparency regulations.

The lawsuit has the potential to shake up Musk’s relationship with DOGE supporters and government transparency laws.

FACA Controversy

The Federal Advisory Committee Act was established to ensure that advisory groups that advise the government are transparent. The plaintiffs, however, claim that DOGE’s participation in governmental discussions is significant enough to be covered by FACA. If this case continues, it may change the nature of informal advisory bodies in their relations with government policies.

Elon Musk’s DOGE sued minutes after Trump inauguration https://t.co/NcAGlbAIUk

— Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera (@GCorreaCabrera) January 20, 2025

The US General Services Administration says the legislation mandates advisory groups be “objective and accessible to the public.”

Citing FACA, a coalition of educators, public health specialists, veterans, and other groups sued the Department of Government Efficiency on Monday, requesting that the court halt DOGE’s operations until it conforms with the law.