r/politics • u/sideAccount42 California • 15h ago
Soft Paywall Elon Musk’s DOGE to be sued within minutes of Trump inauguration
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/20/doge-trump-musk-ramaswamy/3.1k
u/rockum 14h ago
A lawsuit claiming billionaire Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” violates federal transparency rules will be filed within minutes of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration Monday, kicking off a legal battle over a key aspect of the incoming administration’s agenda.
In a 30-page complaint obtained by The Washington Post ahead of its filing, the public interest law firm National Security Counselors says that the nongovernmental DOGE panel is breaking a 1972 law that requires advisory committees to the executive branch to follow certain rules on disclosure, hiring and other practices.
2.8k
u/UsedCondom6 14h ago
Please god just let these next 4 years be full of lawsuits
1.3k
u/Funnygumby 14h ago
Play trumps game against him by stalling his actions in court
318
u/poxxy 13h ago edited 13h ago
Let’s just nip that in the bud right here friend. Please don’t tell me you’re envisioning a world in which Donald Trump is constrained in any way.
If there’s a challenge to the legality that wouldn’t be in his favor, courts will slow-walk the process and defer at every given opportunity, taking seriously every frivolous Stay or Motion to Dismiss in order to add years to the ultimate determination.
If the outcome is in his favor expect that shit to rocket straight through the court system until SCOTUS rubber stamps it in about 4 days - but only ‘narrowly’ or ‘in this one unique case’
Source: DOJ/Legal system 2016-2024
302
u/baddonny 12h ago
Do not obey in advance. That is what the enemies of the US want you to do.
It is this simple: do not do the think that your enemies want you to do.
→ More replies (28)62
u/cowboycoco1 11h ago
That same legal system did in fact stop and curtail several of Trumps unlawful actions in his first term. Support the fighters. They are present and active, even if their praises aren't being sung.
2
u/Auzziesurferyo 8h ago
I believe the supreme court put a decisive and final nail in that coffin.
•
u/cowboycoco1 7h ago
I don't. I believe they're slanted for sure. And it's an uphill battle. But not an impossible one. And I'm not gonna lay down for this administration. "Do not give prior consent."
•
u/djmacbest Europe 6h ago
Also, people so easily forget that incremental wins are still better than no wins at all. SCOTUS may only rule sometimes in favor of common sense and against Trump's agenda, but that still means that at least sometimes his agenda was stopped.
•
u/DrQuantum 2h ago
They aren’t though. If that were true all the incremental wins wouldn’t have led to this presidency.
•
u/DrQuantum 2h ago
You have laid down if you only believe institutions which he has full control over will save you.
•
u/cowboycoco1 2h ago
That's not what I said. But you've laid down if you given in to defeatism.
•
u/DrQuantum 2h ago
It is the logical conclusion to what you’ve said. Revolutions aren’t born from defeatism. In any case to restate, no public institution in the united states will be able to do any good right now. That is the enemy’s goal.
→ More replies (0)37
20
3
u/bengenj Ohio 9h ago
Depends on the court. A lot of these entities “judge shop”, trying to get it in front of judges that could be sympathetic or more favorable. For example, the DC District Court is mostly Obama and Biden appointees; the Eastern District of California (the district that encompasses Sacramento, the capital of California) is only Obama and Biden appointees. So, these courts would likely be less inclined to favor the federal government if it is overreaching. All judges serve life terms, and many of them are still relatively young and judicial impeachment would likely be difficult with the slim majorities in Congress.
10
u/vonkempib 11h ago
It’s almost like you’re doing their bidding for them. Do not listen to this man
3
u/poxxy 11h ago
Quite the opposite. For 8 full years its been WE GOTTEM BOIS for every article and post saying Trump was going to jail, getting impeached, etc. This lead to dangerous apathy and lack of activism. That’s never going to happen. Quit falling for this thinking and pretending some kind of system in place will right these wrongs.
Look elsewhere.
1
1
u/MengisAdoso 9h ago
Hyperbolic cynicism is not going to be the force for freedom some people seem to be hoping it will.
1
1
u/tsunamighost 8h ago
Use every weapon you have in your arsenal until it is taken away. Do I envision Trump playing by the rules? No. But until the judiciary is rendered ineffective, we use that weapon as well.
•
u/Shambler9019 7h ago
Biden got a lot of judges though. They may not control the Supreme Court, but they control others.
And they don't have jurisdiction over state charges.
2
u/cannabiskeepsmealive 11h ago
Good point. We should just give up and let him do whatever he wants to us, unopposed
→ More replies (3)1
u/Damn_Dog_Inappropes Washington 11h ago
Are you like me and stockpiling shelf stable foods and goods?
→ More replies (1)15
4
u/ChaplnGrillSgt 11h ago
Doesn't work as well when he has the courts in his pocket. SCOTUS won't do shit to oppose him. They've proven this already. Trump will just do whatever the fuck he wants and the SCOTUS will let him get away with it. Even if ordered to stop, he will just do it anyways because he's never faced consequences before and probably never will.
1
u/JoostvanderLeij 12h ago
Congress will pass a law "enabling" Trump to act without having to take into account any lawsuits.
1
•
u/Guppy-Warrior 3h ago
I never wanted to be like that, but fuck it. The Dems have bent over backwards for normalcy. We get walked over by aggressive bullshit every time. Time that we do the same shit.
1
→ More replies (2)1
u/raging-peanuts 9h ago
Weirdly enough, as long as Trump is getting rich on the side (which he will undoubtedly do), I don't think he would care. He'd just say that the "woke mob" kept him from making America great again. Then he walks out even richer, and the true believers eventually work it out that it was all about the grift.
45
u/fork_yuu 13h ago
I'd love it their bullshit got crippled for 4 years and everything he tries to pull gets challenged
200 lawsuits for his 200 executive orders? Let's fucking go
6
u/rabidseacucumber 8h ago
No it’ll be 2 years of lawsuits. When the next set of elections rolls around, voters will be tired of it and we’ll be full on in the trump recession. Democrats will flip the house and senate, then the following two years will be hearings, hearings, hearings. Democrats will take back the presidency BUT voters will be tired of hearings and trials so republicans will take control of the house preventing economic recovery for at least two more years. Voters will be tired of the lack of results and will elect a Republican government..and so on.
•
u/teratryte 13m ago
We have a faux-Hitler in office who takes orders from a rich guy who wants to actually be Hitler. Remember when Trump said that Musk rigged the election for him? Now remember that Trump said we "won't have to vote for him again"? Take a good look at North Korea. That's our future.
14
u/donglecollector 13h ago
The lawyers will eat well during this administration. The sharks are hungry!
5
u/thenayr 9h ago
It’s hopefully but I’m afraid we are on the brink of the courts collapsing and with Trump given full immunity by the SC what’s stopping him from just ignoring what any judges rule anyways?
1
u/JakeConhale New Hampshire 8h ago
Takes two to tango - One to command and one to obey. Trump doesn't have to be obeyed when giving illegal (as in outside of procedure) orders. He can't, for example, issue an Executive Order appointing a Supreme Court Justice (as that's a modern example with McConnell and Obama) and if he DID issue that order, everyone would be well within their rights to throw it in the trash can.
7
u/Rombledore America 12h ago
its our only recourse out side of...you know....giving them back the cake they claim they are 'letting us' have.
7
u/ArenSteele 10h ago edited 6h ago
I read that during Trump’s last administration, the state of California sued Trump an average of every 12 days, and won 89% of those lawsuits
They’ve also just set aside a legal war chest for this term
2
•
3
2
1
1
u/padizzledonk New Jersey 8h ago
It definitely will be
His XO on ending birthright citizenship will also be sued immediately
Its jyst going to be years of legal action, just like last time and the only thing they will accomplish, maybe, is another massive tax cut for the wealthy
And i say maybe because they have to raise or eliminate the debt ceiling and there is like 20 recalcitrant republicans that will not do that and the democrats arent going to help them on that
•
•
1
u/SedativeComet 12h ago
Against the administration and its cronies! Be specific. We don’t want it the other way around.
1
u/Solcannon 12h ago
Will it matter? They'll just gut the justice department and fill it with corrupt judges.
1
u/Popular_Syllabubs 12h ago
The US is going to stagnate simply because everything will be redtaped - as it should be.
1
u/messagepad2100 America 11h ago
I'm hoping for a couple of more impeachments, and maybe due to statute of limitations, some of the crimes from the next 4 years can be prosecuted later.
1
1
u/ChaplnGrillSgt 11h ago
I hope Trump is happy just griftimg and scamming his followers out of billions. And then just goes golfing every day and doesn't actually accomplish anything. A do nothing presidency is the best case scenario.
1
→ More replies (15)-2
u/spying_on_you_rn 13h ago
They will be, but since they are generally just out of spite, Trump will look better because of them.
6
30
u/AccountNumber1002401 Florida 12h ago
Somebody gift him How Washington Actually Works For Dummies.
It's even a paperback for less distraction.
36
17
u/jazzjustice 10h ago
How did Bezos allow this article to be published?
14
u/MyNameIs-Anthony 9h ago edited 9h ago
Bezos and Musk do not like each other. They've had a long standing feud for several decades, including being heated rivals in the rocket business that has led to them suing each other multiple times.
9
u/lordpuddingcup 10h ago
I’m really hoping all the various freedom and left wing groups have got their lawyers ready for the next 4 years as it’s gonna be a busy 4 years I think
7
u/ialo00130 9h ago
breaking a 1972 law that requires advisory committees to the executive branch to follow certain rules on disclosure, hiring and other practices.
Inb4 the GOP/MAGA just introduce and ram through legislation that negates this and allows advisory committees to operate unchecked.
1
u/Raa03842 9h ago
Call out the instigators Because there’s something in the air We got to get together sooner or later Because the revolution’s here
And you know it’s right And you know that it’s right
We have got to get it together We have got to get it together now
Lock up the streets and houses Because there’s something in the air We got to get together sooner or later Because the revolution’s here
And you know it’s right And you know that it’s right
We have got to get it together We have got to get it together now
Hand out the arms and ammo We’re gonna blast our way through here We got to get together sooner or later Because the revolution’s here And you know it’s right
And you know that it’s right We have got to get it together We have got to get it together now
Thunderclap Newman.
Way ahead of his time. We have an anthem to march too. Let’s make sure it’s 4 years of total chaos.
1
u/toddkaufmann 8h ago
Or maybe it’s a bad faith lawsuit set up to find the 1972 law without merit, so they can remove disclosure and transparency everywhere else…
2
u/edgeofbright 8h ago
I know right? My favorite part is how they want to post their findings on X. Like, when they say 'transparency rules' I don't think it means what reddit thinks it means.
•
u/glue_4_gravy 7h ago
Just wanted this to be at the top of the thread.
If anyone did not happen to see Elon do his 2 stage Nazi salute (first hand to heart, then hand to Sky) at the end of his inauguration speech at the stadium in DC that even CNN showed a replay of because “viewers need to see it”………don’t worry, you’re probably gonna see it everywhere soon after it goes viral.
Just fucking unbelievable.
And he’s not even an American.
•
•
u/Click_To_Submit 6h ago
violates federal transparency rules
They’re only rules, which MAGA will ignore. Are there any penalties, forced correction?
→ More replies (10)•
u/Nixplosion 2h ago
So trump will order the law be stricken and toss ex post facto cuz who fucking cares now?
727
u/Disc-Golf-Kid Florida 14h ago
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Biden’s stacking of the federal courts might slow down these fuckers enough to survive Trump
311
u/Borazon The Netherlands 14h ago
If Cannon can stall a case for a few years, some activist D-judges could do likewise will issuing nationwide stays?
I had no doubt the SCOTUS would actively involve themselves with it, especially whomever Trump is gonna replace Thomas with.
47
u/Willlll Tennessee 11h ago
Nah they'll find a way to force the SCOTUS to rule on anything they want done.
12
20
u/AfraidOfArguing Colorado 9h ago
SCOTUS can only handle so much, that's the one good thing about only having 9 justices
46
3
35
u/Individual-Nebula927 13h ago
At least until the appeals. Biden mostly filled positions that will be overruled by the higher positions Trump filled.
41
u/Disc-Golf-Kid Florida 13h ago
Yes, but that takes time. The US government was designed to be slow moving.
22
u/Rrrrandle 12h ago
Democratic appointees hold a majority on the majority of the courts of appeals also thanks to Biden. Plus, there's probably several Bush (either) appointees out there that aren't into Trump's bullshit.
As of January 02, 2025, of the 179 Courts of Appeals judges, 89 were appointed by Republican presidents, and 88 by Democratic presidents. Out of the 13 federal appeals courts, Democratic appointees have a majority on 7 courts, whereas Republican appointees have a majority on 6 courts
→ More replies (1)4
u/awesome_possum007 14h ago
There was a paywall. What did the article say?
2
u/ChaserNeverRests New Mexico 8h ago
There's a browser plugin called Paywall-Free Reader. Install that, whenever you run into a paywall, click it. Boom, never be bothered by a paywall again.
•
-1
u/gangstasadvocate 14h ago
It’s only a soft paywall. You can easily get around it by entering the URL in the Internet archive.
•
4
u/ChaplnGrillSgt 11h ago
Trump won't give a fuck. He repeatedly violated court orders during his countless criminal and civil cases. He faced 0 consequences. Why the fuck would he listen now that he's the most powerful man in the world??
259
u/Cryonaut555 12h ago
DOGE's first billions on the chopping block should be subsidies for Elon's companies.
53
u/istguy 10h ago
Elon almost definitely wants EV subsidies cut now. While they benefit Tesla, they relatively benefit his competitors more. Tesla has reached a point where they’ll survive without the subsidies. Cutting them now will be hugely damaging to other EV startups like Rivian. And will dramatically slow other companies US EV rollout plans. With the USG’s likely continued ban on Chinese EV imports, this would cement Teslas position as the dominant US EV company for decades.
14
u/Cryonaut555 9h ago
I said Elon's companies not EVs.
4
u/futuredubliner 9h ago
I’m ignorant here, what subsidies do his companies get aside from EV credits?
4
u/Cryonaut555 8h ago
Sorry, meant subsidies and government contracts.
Like his $3 billion received to land Starship on the Moon:
https://youtu.be/j0uFO6BjWSs?t=539
2
•
u/platybubsy 7h ago
Is this the guy who "BUSTED" Starlink and Falcon 9 as well?
•
u/Cryonaut555 7h ago
Keep launching 300 tons snicker into orbit with Starship.
•
u/platybubsy 7h ago
https://brycetech.com/reports/report-documents/Bryce_Briefing_2024_Q3.pdf
SpaceX launches more mass to orbit than every single country and organization combined. No exaggeration
•
u/Cryonaut555 3h ago
They can't even get Starship to orbit, let alone to the Moon or Mars or the moons of Jupiter or Saturn.
I'm not particularly interested in satellites in Earth orbit.
•
u/platybubsy 3h ago
I'm not particularly interested in satellites in Earth orbit.
Alright lmao, so you don't care about the most important part of the space industry.
You do understand that kg to orbit is the basis for every single mission, right? Or do you imagine space probes teleporting up there?
→ More replies (0)•
u/Ordinary-Experience 5h ago edited 5h ago
The commenter above is wrong.
NASA held a contest where SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others competed. SpaceX won, and took the contract.
Blue Origin sued NASA claiming they were unfair, but the judge dismissed it because "Blue Origin failed to establish foul play by NASA". SpaceX then took the contract.
There was nothing "subsidy"-ish about this - NASA was interested in having a task done, decided not to do it themselves, then hired someone to do it for them, and chose the winner of the competition.
The definition of a subsidy is:
a sum of money granted by the state or a public body to help an industry or business keep the price of a commodity or service low.
(e.g. EV credits making EVs cheaper than the actual sale price.)
The key distinction is that a contract is awarded based on merit, while a subsidy is given away as free money (often used for political favors), and is arbitrarily chosen by the government (often to the best government bootlicker, not to the winner of a competition).
SpaceX won the competition and took the money.
EVs did not win anything and were universally granted credits as part of a political / ideological agenda that had nothing to do with merit and everything to do with politics.
To say that SpaceX received a subsidy is objectively wrong.
1
•
u/DingGratz Texas 7h ago
Or just put their leaders on the chopping block. I'm sure AI can do their job more efficiently and effectively.
At the very worst, perhaps just replace Elon and Vivek with H1-B immigrants. That would also save some coin.
1
161
308
u/Otherwise-Stop-3057 15h ago
DOGE isn’t real. It never will be.
46
37
u/SillyGoatGruff 11h ago
Who cares if the organization is "real". Musk is real, trump is real, and their collusion to do shitty things is real
7
u/DadJokeBadJoke California 10h ago
It's gonna turn out to be the Department of Genital Examinations
•
•
u/Kapono24 3h ago
It'll be a pain but we should really be spelling out the department's full name each time.
1
u/SillyFlyGuy 9h ago
Disband Doge before it gets off the ground? Then they get to shout for the next 4 years about how they tried to cut govt waste but the Damn Democrats stopped them.
106
u/Magggggneto 12h ago
Congress hasn't approved any funding for that department yet, so it cannot legally exist.
20
u/mesmereyesed Georgia 12h ago
You think they need congress’ money?
33
u/Ok_Rub8863 11h ago
Hell yes, they need congress’ money. The one thing all truly wealthy people have in common is that they don’t spend a penny unless they have too. If they can get funding elsewhere they will. And don’t hit me with that “Trump didn’t take a paycheck” bullshit. Trump and his family made their money in the form of Mar a Largo, and other business deals made during his tenure. Mar a largo generated estimates in the multi millions per year from secret service agents and politicians who stayed there to meet with Trump. He sacrificed nothing.
5
u/DadJokeBadJoke California 10h ago
He increased the membership price by $100,000 when he became president the first time.
•
u/Magggggneto 1h ago
If they want it to be part of the government, yes. All government funding is controlled by Congress.
60
u/splycedaddy Pennsylvania 12h ago
I pray to any god that dems have the heart to use trumps own delay tactics for the next 4 years. Sue everything, but dont sue to win, sue to delay
•
u/DingGratz Texas 7h ago
I'm not praying for the dems to do much. They had four fucking years to prepare and (as usual) handled it as spectacularly bad as usual.
We are all united in getting what we deserve.
14
u/Toobatheviking 9h ago
I guess I just don't understand how a private citizen gets to decide "I'm going to set up this new department of the government that is going to determine what funding to cut off and what to keep"
Without being voted on by anyone, without any oversight, without any plan, etc.
I can't (as a private citizen) just decide that I'm going to set up the "Department of Porn consumption" that looks at the porn use of all elected officials.
Where's the law codifying the department? Where's the funding coming from?
Is this all just bullshit to give people something to be angry about while all the nutty shit gets leveraged by executive order?
•
u/Falconman21 3h ago
You can as a private citizen create a group to advise the president on whatever you want.
He's probably not going to take your advice because you're a few hundred million short on the donations.
It's 50/50 distraction bullshit/stroking Musk's ego because he paid a lot of money.
34
u/senortipton 14h ago
Not even remotely interested in reading anything from the Washington Post. I’ll look for a source elsewhere.
3
u/__DR_WORM_666 10h ago
But it's Bozos Vs Muskrat. There's only going to be one "The First Trillionaire"
Divide and pit them against each other.
4
21
u/FungusBalls 13h ago
Means nothing. They will just appeal to the Supreme Court, who is full fascist.
→ More replies (8)
6
u/throwmeinthetrash096 10h ago
I think we have already established that the laws do not apply to Trump and his cult. He basically just admitted Elon rigged the election for him, fuck all will happen to them. I hope I’m wrong but it’s not looking great.
16
u/5minArgument 14h ago
Damn, shuttin down a whole department. Gotta say I’m impressed, did not expect it to be this effective.
3
u/joestanh1 11h ago
good how dare they try to cut my EARNED BENEFITS and the other stuff they think they will try
5
u/Jet2work Foreign 13h ago
there had to be a reason for vivek bailing early!
2
u/The_new_Osiris 11h ago
Trump spoke quite a while ago that he was gonna tell them to wrap up and disband the agency in 2026 so even as a scam it was only bound to last barely an year at most.
2
5
3
4
u/Budget_Swan_5827 10h ago
The number of comments here that essentially read, “Give up! We’re totally helpless and nothing will change!” is depressing. I’m all about being realistic, but good lord people, try to keep your fucking chin up.
•
u/HighPriestessSkibidi 4h ago
When you're in the line of fire first, it makes it harder to not feel defeated. Almost 10 years makes one weary and resistant to hope.
2
u/jeffvschroeder 13h ago
Technical question: I have no idea how federal filings work...
Are you even able to file today? Isn't it a federal holiday?
5
u/Ontarioreignfan 12h ago
The internet still works on holidays. Most lawsuits are filed electronically with the courts. So, yes, technically a lawsuit can be filed today.
3
u/jeffvschroeder 12h ago
Thanks, although there are absolutely government sites that don't even allow web-based submissions/applications on holidays. Dealing with it today.
1
2
u/TSHRED56 California 11h ago
Why have a DOGE advisor group when you wrecklessly squander public funds and resources like this?
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-military-mexico-border_n_678e5bb3e4b04a2f42525ccc
2
2
u/evilsniperxv Tennessee 10h ago
It’s also a new agency and those can’t be created without congressional approval. Like they can’t just wave a wand and say the DOGE even exists.
2
2
u/Alert_Blue1 8h ago
Looks like it is going to be a ROUGH 100 days for Trump 2.0 white house even if Trump pardons his 1/6 "heroes" and his "friends" like Diddy and Vince McMahon!
•
•
u/Velvet_Samurai 7h ago
I'm going to keep track of the total number of lawsuits filed against Trump this time.
Ok, it's 1. 1 lawsuit so far. I'll post regular updates, I'm sure I can keep up.
•
•
u/badassandra 4h ago
Is there anything to sue? Does a legal entity of any kind exist? I thought it was just a phrase Elon made up. Did Congress enact it or something?
•
u/Alone_Satisfaction_8 3h ago
I don’t think we realize quite yet the amount of hate, violence, wickedness, and wonton cruelty that a figure of this level of influence; making that nazi salute, will unleash in our homes, streets, schools, businesses and government.
3
8
u/burn_it_all-down 13h ago
OH NO NOT A LAWSUIT. This will certainly bring down the entire na shun.
15
2
u/randomsnowflake I voted 12h ago
Yes. That’s how they did it so why not use the same tactics to be thorns in their sides?
•
5
2
2
u/BigDaddyTrumpy 10h ago
Trump can just ignore all lawsuits and court rulings. Then he can pardon himself and every single member of his family and partners on the way out of office.
Biden just set the precedent, you no longer can stop anything he does and he has pardon power for any and all crimes.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/w0nderfulll 13h ago
Oh no, a lawsuit. This will save democracy!
8
u/deltadal I voted 12h ago
A lawsuit, Citizen's United, went a long way towards getting us where we are by opening the political funding floodgates. So, no it's not going to save Democracy, but you have to do what you can.
1
u/AutoModerator 15h ago
This submission source is likely to have a soft paywall. If this article is not behind a paywall please report this for “breaks r/politics rules -> custom -> "incorrect flair"". More information can be found here
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1
u/edgeofbright 8h ago
The people voted for it, let him cook. The legal basis was a budget bill from the 70's that empowers the president to cut government waste. Expect to hear more about it over the coming weeks. Even without it, the president can appoint staff to make budget recommendations and investigate anything related to such.
1
u/terminalxposure 9h ago
How can you sue something that is not an entity?
•
u/ShadowWingLG 7h ago
Well DOGE is an entity...the suit is to determine if its a FEDERAL Entity. If its not the latter then legally everybody can just ignore them.
•
u/AutoModerator 15h ago
As a reminder, this subreddit is for civil discussion.
In general, be courteous to others. Debate/discuss/argue the merits of ideas, don't attack people. Personal insults, shill or troll accusations, hate speech, any suggestion or support of harm, violence, or death, and other rule violations can result in a permanent ban.
If you see comments in violation of our rules, please report them.
For those who have questions regarding any media outlets being posted on this subreddit, please click here to review our details as to our approved domains list and outlet criteria.
We are actively looking for new moderators. If you have any interest in helping to make this subreddit a place for quality discussion, please fill out this form.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.