Elon Musk Not Running DOGE, White House Affidavit Claims
In a federal court affidavit, the Trump administration denies Elon Musk's involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), contradicting previous statements and public evidence.
The affidavit argues that Musk is merely a "senior adviser" to the president with no official power to make government decisions. Instead, it designates him as a "special government employee."
The legal status of DOGE remains unclear, with the Justice Department arguing it's an agency for some purposes but not others. The affidavit does not specify who is running DOGE if not Musk.
Despite the White House's current stance, previous statements from Trump and his press secretary suggested Musk's leadership role.
Under the Constitution, "principal officers" wielding significant authority must be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The administration claims Musk is not a "principal officer."
Treating Musk as an adviser instead of department head benefits the White House, potentially preventing a confirmation hearing and allowing Trump to invoke executive privilege over communications.
A judge declined to halt DOGE's work due to insufficient evidence of irreparable harm, but raised concerns about the constitutionality of Musk's role.