Elon Musk’s DOGE sued as Trump takes office: Report

  • Lawsuit was reportedly filed within minutes of Trump taking office
  • National Security Counselors: DOGE is violating a 1972 law
  • They say if the committee complies with FACA, the suit will cease
Elon Musk arrives on Capitol Hill

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency, arrives on Capitol Hill on Dec. 05, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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(NewsNation) — The Department of Government Efficiency, co-chaired by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been sued minutes after President Donald Trump took office, per the Washington Post.

The lawsuit, filed by National Security Counselors, claims DOGE is violating a 1972 law. The report said the law “requires advisory committees to the executive branch to follow certain rules on disclosure, hiring and other practices.”

“DOGE is not exempted from FACA’s requirements,” the lawsuit said, via the Post. “All meetings of DOGE, including those conducted through an electronic medium, must be open to the public.”

The suit reportedly alleges DOGE qualifies as a “federal advisory committee,” meaning certain levels of balance and transparency are required.

“Not a single member of DOGE is a federal employee or represents the perspective of federal employees,” the lawsuit reads.

While Trump tapped Musk and Ramaswamy to lead DOGE, the latter is likely to run for governor of Ohio. According to NewsNation’s partner, The Hill, Ramaswamy desires to “get accomplishments at DOGE” before announcing his bid.

“We’re not trying to say DOGE can’t exist. Advisory committees like DOGE have been around for decades. We’re just saying that DOGE can’t exist without following the law,” Kelly McClanahan, executive director of National Security Counselors, told the Post.

“If DOGE turns around and complies with FACA (Federal Advisory Committee Act), the case is over,” she added.

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