Associated Press
The White House says billionaire Elon Musk is not the administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency team that is sweeping through federal agencies, but is rather a senior adviser to President Donald Trump.
Musk’s exact role could be key in the legal fight over DOGE’s access to government data as the Trump administration moves to lay off thousands of federal workers. Defining him as an adviser rather that the person in charge of day-to-day operations at DOGE could help the administration beat a lawsuit arguing Musk has too much power for someone who isn’t elected or Senate-confirmed.
The declaration was filed Monday as the Trump administration fends off the lawsuit from several Democratic states that want to block Musk and the DOGE team from accessing government systems. The litigants say Musk is wielding “virtually unchecked power” in violation of the Constitution.
The Trump administration, on the other hand, says Musk has “no actual authority to make government decisions himself,” Joshua Fisher, Director of the White House Office of Administration, said in court papers. The documents do not name the administrator of DOGE, whose work Musk has championed in posts on his social-media platform X and in a public appearance at the White House.
The DOGE team has roamed from agency to agency, tapping into computer systems, digging into budgets and searching for waste, fraud and abuse, while lawsuits pile up claiming Trump and DOGE are violating the law. At least two are targeting Musk himself.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan seemed skeptical in a hearing Monday when Justice Department lawyers asserted that Musk has no formal authority.
“I think you stretch too far. I disagree with you there,” Chutkan said.
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
9 comments
Skeptic
February 18, 2025 at 4:52 pm
So . . . Nobody is in charge of the Musk Dept. of Chaos? Does the White House even know? I imagine that the cognitively impaired occupant of the Oval Office does not much care. And if the Musketeers are successful in playing this weird game of hide-the-ball with the courts, watch your wallet. At this point, Hackers United have gained access to the Treasury, the IRS and Social Security — massive identity theft can’t be far behind.
Michael K
February 18, 2025 at 9:40 pm
You know, people think Musk is a genius. He bought a car company – he did invent the Tesla. Anyway, he fired 80% of Twitter (now X) employees when he bought it. What folks fail to mention is that X has lost 80% of its value since President Musk took over. (Kind of like going bankrupt with casinos).
Any 4 year old can break and destroy things. Quite another to build something. I’m thinking that layoffs at the FAA is not such a bright idea – nor is gutting basic scientific and medical research, unless, of course, the goal is to let China to eat our lunch in these sectors, like they are already doing with renewable energy and electric cars.
And don’t be fooled: The Afrikaaner (whom Bannon calls an illegal immigrant) really is after your Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Michael K
February 18, 2025 at 9:41 pm
Correction: Musk DID NOT invent the Tesla. He bought the company.
Victoria Olson
February 19, 2025 at 10:06 am
Elon Musk is NOT an elected official and an IMMIGRANT. He is a RUSSIAN asset. He is breaking the law & our moron President who is also a RUSSIAN asset is allowing him to destroy our treasury & Democracy. Both are TERRORISTS.
Peachy
February 19, 2025 at 10:07 pm
Was Fauci elected? That Democrat activist was running the country during Covid. Dude can’t even throw a baseball.
Bill Pollard
February 19, 2025 at 6:21 pm
So Mr. Trump says Elon Musk is simply an advisor. What baloney!
Peachy
February 19, 2025 at 10:05 pm
And you know this how? Joy Behar said it on The View? 🤣
Skeptic
February 20, 2025 at 8:46 am
Thought experiment: Elon and the Musketeers are successful in deregulating fintech. Millions of young people and MAGA mental midgets are fooled into entrusting their life savings with “non-bank” institutions that are not sound or secure. The inevitable fraud causes a 1929/30 run on the “non-banks” causing their collapse and economic pains that makes 2006-08 seem like a kid’s birthday party. What is Emperor Elon Afrikaaner’s power play then? Inquiring minds want to know.
Michael K
February 20, 2025 at 9:41 am
Bitcoin is a scam. Beanie Babies for billionaires.
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