Politics
Judge Greenlights Lawsuit Over Musk’s Role in Trump Government Shake‑Up
By Jake Beardslee · March 24, 2026
A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit challenging Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may proceed, rejecting the government’s attempt to dismiss the case.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a memorandum on Monday finding that claims brought by a coalition of nonprofit organizations raise sufficient concerns to be heard in court. The plaintiffs argue that Musk and other DOGE officials exercised sweeping authority over federal operations without proper legal authorization.
In her ruling, Chutkan wrote that the nonprofits “amply allege that the head of DOGE himself makes decisions and issues directives on matters as weighty as the termination of federal grants, contracts and workers.”
The lawsuit, initially filed last March, stems from Musk’s tenure as a special government employee, during which he oversaw efforts that led to widespread terminations of federal workers, contracts and grants. The case was later combined with a similar lawsuit filed by a coalition of 14 states.
Plaintiffs contend that DOGE personnel lacked the legal authority to implement such actions and violated constitutional principles, including the separation of powers. They also argue that Musk improperly wielded authority reserved for Senate-confirmed officials, alleging he exercised “the power of a principal officer without having received Senate confirmation.”
However, the court dismissed some aspects of the case. Chutkan sided with the Trump administration in rejecting claims tied to the Administrative Procedure Act and separation of powers, concluding that the plaintiffs did not identify specific agency actions to support those arguments.
Musk’s involvement in the administration ended in May after his special government employee status expired. His departure was followed by a public rift with former President Donald Trump, though Musk has since re-entered political discussions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Separately, the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to block an inquiry by the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington into DOGE’s activities.