A federal judge has ordered Elon Musk to reveal the full structure and employee list of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the controversial government division he leads under Donald Trump’s administration. The order comes as 14 Democratic state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit claiming Musk is wielding unconstitutional power without congressional oversight.
Judge Tanya Chutkan’s ruling requires DOGE to disclose the names of all administrators and individuals with hiring and firing authority since its creation in January 2025. The court is also demanding answers on whether Musk reports to anyone other than Trump. The judge will use this information to decide whether to halt DOGE’s operations entirely.
Trump established DOGE through an executive order with the mission to streamline the federal government by cutting jobs, slashing regulations, and eliminating wasteful spending. The department has already overseen mass layoffs, including 1,600 employees at USAID and thousands of positions in other agencies. Musk and co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy have stated that DOGE will shut down by July 4, 2026, after completing its objectives.
Critics argue that DOGE operates without transparency and effectively allows Musk to make major government decisions with little oversight. Supporters, however, see it as a necessary step to reduce bureaucracy. With legal challenges mounting, the future of DOGE remains uncertain as the court decides whether it should continue or be shut down.
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