Musk, Ramaswamy-led Federal Cost-Cutting Initiative Faces Multiple Lawsuits

TL/DR –

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy is facing multiple lawsuits alleging that the initiative is operating as a federal advisory committee, which puts it in violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). FACA requires these groups to be balanced, objective, and accessible to the public. The lawsuit claims that DOGE, which aimed to cut about $500 billion in annual expenditures, appears to have appointed only tech industry executives, people affiliated with the Trump campaign or his prior administration, and associates of Musk or Ramaswamy, and doesn’t include representative of federal employees in its members.

DOGE Faces Lawsuits Over Federal Cost-Cutting Tasks

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is facing legal challenges amidst Trump’s inauguration in January. The initiative is under scrutiny for potential breaches of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

National Security Counselors, a public interest law firm, filed a lawsuit asserting that DOGE, with its function as a federal advisory committee, has violated FACA regulations. The lawsuit claims that DOGE lacks balance and transparency, which FACA mandates for advisory committees.

Further, a collective of veterans, public health professionals, teachers and more have also sued DOGE, asking for its activities to be halted until it complies with FACA.

“What are they hiding?” asked Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, advocating for transparency from DOGE. Neither Trump’s campaign nor Musk immediately responded, while Ramaswamy is expected to depart DOGE as he starts an Ohio governor campaign.

Allegations Against DOGE

Unofficial government agency DOGE, tasked to suggest federal spending cuts, aimed to slash around $500 billion annually. The lawsuit argues that DOGE appointed predominantly tech industry executives, Trump allies, and associates of Musk or Ramaswamy, resulting in a lack of federal employee representation, thus violating FACA.

The lawsuit also alleges that private meetings between Musk, Ramaswamy and various officials breach the law’s requirement for advisory committee meetings to be public.

“DOGE lacks the expertise to understand how its recommendations will backfire if it pushes federal workers out without understanding why they are there in the first place,” said Kel McClanahan of National Security Counselors.

The lawsuit’s plaintiffs include applicants to DOGE who could represent federal employees’ perspectives. The lawsuit claims DOGE has not responded to these applications.

Article by Aimee Picchi, associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch.

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