US judge orders Doge, Musk to produce cost-cutting records
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Mr Elon Musk and Doge have until April 2 to turn over a variety of records and answer questions describing their efforts to slash federal spending.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – A US judge has ordered billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to turn over a variety of records
The decision by US District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington on March 13 came in a lawsuit by 14 Democratic state attorneys-general against Mr Musk, Doge and Republican President Donald Trump.
The states argued that Mr Musk violated the Constitution by wielding power that only officials confirmed by the US Senate can exercise under the appointments clause, and sought materials from him through a process known as discovery.
Ms Chutkan, an appointee of former president Barack Obama, said her order focused mainly on who at Doge was making cost-cutting decisions and how far they could go.
“Defendants argue that the ‘inner workings of government’ are immaterial to an appointments clause claim,” she wrote.
“The court is not convinced, but that is a legal issue appropriate for resolution after fulsome briefing,” she added.
“At this stage, it is sufficient that plaintiffs’ discovery requests intend to reveal the scope of Doge’s and Mr Musk’s authority.”
The US Department of Justice, which represents the defendants, did not immediately respond on March 13 to a request for comment.
Ms Chutkan limited discovery requests to material concerning agencies, employees, contracts, grants, federal funding, legal agreements, databases and data management systems that involve or engage with the 14 states as well as entities they operate or fund.
She rejected the states’ request to obtain sworn testimony through depositions and said her order does not apply to Mr Trump.
Republican and Democratic administrations have long resisted efforts to force top White House advisers to provide court testimony or information they consider privileged.
Mr Musk and Doge have until April 2 to comply with Ms Chutkan’s order.
The lawsuit sought to bar Doge from accessing information systems at several government departments and firing federal employees or putting them on leave. REUTERS
