USAID Workers Cite Fear of Musk to Stay Anonymous in DOGE Suit

Federal judges are taking the unusual step of letting US government employees who have sued the Trump administration keep their identities secret out of fear of reprisals.

A group of workers from the US Agency for International Development persuaded a Maryland judge this week to let them remain anonymous in their challenge to Elon Musk’s cost-cutting efforts after they said they’re afraid of being trolled, fired or worse in light of the billionaire’s “extraordinary animosity” toward the agency.

Federal courts typically require plaintiffs to use their real names and only allow anonymity in situations where privacy outweighs the public’s ...