Elon Musk’s Role in Trump Administration Challenged in Court (1)

Elon Musk is facing a new legal challenge to his role in the Trump administration.

Groups representing Japanese Americans and scientists are asking a court to declare that Musk doesn’t have the authority to dismiss federal employees, arguing that his position violates the Constitution’s separation of powers.

The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, said the Tesla Inc. chief is exercising powers reserved for Senate-confirmed officials. Musk, who leads the president’s Department of Government Efficiency, hasn’t been approved by the Senate.

“Decisions regarding how the federal government spends its money lie with Congress,” the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement. “Elon Musk’s unchecked power throughout the federal government is a lawless threat to our democracy.”

Their argument is similar to a pair of lawsuits filed in February claiming that President Donald Trump has unconstitutionally delegated vast powers to Musk. Those lawsuits are also asking courts to declare Musk’s role unlawful and bar him from firing federal employees.

The Trump administration has fired tens of thousands of agency staffers in recent weeks, declaring that the cuts will improve government efficiency. The dismissals, led by Musk, have created chaos across the government. Federal workers and their allies are suing to stop the firings, in addition to filing complaints with federal employee review panels.

Musk’s role in the administration has been a topic of debate in Congress and the courts.

Trump told Congress on Tuesday night that Musk is DOGE’s leader. That contradicts the Trump administration’s position in several court cases. Justice Department attorneys earlier in the day told a New York judge that Musk isn’t DOGE’s director.

The case is Japanese American Citizens League v. Musk, D.D.C., 1:25-cv-00643, complaint filed 3/5/25.