Elon Musk’s ‘Doge’ program is set to be sued just moments after Trump takes office, raising questions about its legality and transparency
Washington DC: So, it looks like Elon Musk’s new project, the “Doge” program, is in hot water right from the get-go. Just as Donald Trump is getting sworn in, a lawsuit is expected to hit the fan.
This lawsuit, which The Washington Post got its hands on, is a 30-page document that questions whether this advisory committee Trump wants to set up is even legal. It claims that it breaks federal rules about transparency and hiring practices.
The National Security Counselors, a public interest law firm, argues that Musk’s panel should be treated as a federal advisory committee. But they say it doesn’t have the balanced representation or public access that the law requires.
Interestingly, Doge has already brought on a bunch of staffers who are working out of SpaceX’s offices in DC. They’re even using Signal, the encrypted messaging app, to chat.
Vivek Ramaswamy, who was supposed to co-lead the group with Musk, might be stepping back to focus on his run for Ohio governor. CBS News mentioned that Musk has been a bit frustrated with Ramaswamy’s involvement in Doge.
Apparently, someone close to Trump said, “Vivek has worn out his welcome.” Ouch! It seems like there’s some tension brewing there.
Musk himself has been expecting legal challenges to Doge. He believes that his opponents are using “lawfare” to slow him down and his companies.
What exactly Doge will do is still a bit of a mystery. Insiders say they’re keeping things under wraps to avoid any legal hiccups. Trump has promised that this will bring about “drastic change,” but as an advisory committee, it can’t make cuts on its own.
According to the New York Times, the folks working for Doge won’t be paid and will only be there for six months before going back to their regular jobs. They’ll be classified as “special government employees.”
It seems like Doge won’t be set up as a formal organization or nonprofit. Instead, it’s more like a group loyal to Musk and Ramaswamy.
Some big names from Silicon Valley, like Marc Andreessen and Shaun Maguire, have been interviewed for positions in Doge. So, there’s definitely some serious talent being considered.
Sam Hammond, an economist, told The Washington Post that Doge is all about pushing ideas within the executive branch, and it might not have to report like other committees do.
He even said, “Doge isn’t a federal advisory committee because Doge doesn’t really exist.” Sounds like a branding move for Trump’s reform efforts!
