On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly created advisory group tasked with making sweeping cuts to the U.S. government. Despite its ambitious name, the committee lacks formal departmental authority and has already attracted lawsuits challenging its legality.

According to the announcement, DOGE aims to "modernize federal technology and software," eliminate federal agencies, and reduce three-quarters of federal jobs. Spearheading this initiative is Tesla CEO Elon Musk, alongside former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The group plans to embed appointees across federal agencies to implement its recommendations.

President Trump described DOGE's mission as "restoring competence and effectiveness to our federal government" during his inaugural speech. The executive order, however, clarifies that DOGE functions as an advisory body, limiting its direct influence over federal operations.‍

Legal Challenges and Transparency Issues

Within hours of the announcement, multiple organizations, including the American Public Health Association and the American Federation of Teachers, filed lawsuits against the group. 

Several groups filed lawsuits against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) shortly after its announcement. In addition to the American Public Health Association and the American Federation of Teachers, other plaintiffs included Minority Veterans of America, which advocates for equity and justice for minority veterans and raised concerns about DOGE’s potential impact on vital federal programs. 

VoteVets Action Fund, representing veterans' interests, criticized the proposed restructuring of agencies that provide critical services to veterans. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a government watchdog organization, alleged that DOGE violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) through its lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest. 

Public Citizen, known for advocating government accountability, challenged the secrecy surrounding DOGE’s operations and its exclusion of diverse perspectives. The State Democracy Defenders Fund argued that DOGE’s structure undermines democratic principles, while the American Federation of Government Employees, representing federal workers, expressed concern over the group’s proposals for mass job cuts and agency restructuring. 

Together, these lawsuits aim to ensure DOGE complies with FACA’s requirements, including transparency, balanced representation, and accountability.

Plaintiffs allege that DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which mandates transparency, balanced representation, and public accountability for such entities.

Critics also point to the potential conflicts of interest posed by DOGE's leadership. Both Musk and Ramaswamy are high-profile billionaires with private sector interests that could influence their recommendations. The use of encrypted communication tools like Signal further fuels concerns about a lack of transparency in DOGE's operations.‍

Historical Context and Skepticism

Past administrations have launched similar efforts, such as President Reagan's 1982 commission on government efficiency. However, such initiatives often face skepticism regarding their effectiveness. Watchdog groups argue that DOGE, while carrying the veneer of reform, risks becoming a platform for advancing private interests rather than fostering public good.

As legal battles unfold, the future of DOGE remains uncertain. Plaintiffs are seeking court intervention to halt its operations until it complies with federal transparency laws. Meanwhile, the group’s ambitious goals and high-profile leadership continue to draw public and political scrutiny.