A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit challenging Elon Musk’s role in DOGE can proceed, while President Trump is dismissed from the case.

Chutkan Rules on Federal Suit Over DOGE Oversight

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has allowed a significant legal challenge to proceed against Elon Musk over his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), while simultaneously dismissing President Donald Trump from the lawsuit.

Judge Tanya S. Chutkan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued the ruling, determining that the court cannot enjoin the President in the execution of his official duties. Her memorandum stated, “Defendants seek to dismiss President Trump as a defendant because the court may not enjoin the President in the performance of his official duties. The court agrees.”

The official order reads: “Defendants’ motion to dismiss Count I against President Donald J. Trump, in his official capacity as President of the United States, is GRANTED. Defendants’ motion to dismiss Count I against all other defendants and Count II is DENIED.”

The case originated from a multi-state complaint filed earlier this year, questioning the constitutional authority of Musk’s role in directing DOGE activities. The plaintiffs argued that Musk’s involvement blurred the line between private citizens and federal officers. The complaint asked the court to declare Musk’s directives as lacking legal standing and to prevent him from further issuing executive guidance.

Specifically, the states requested that the court “restore constitutional order and, consistent with the Appointments Clause, enjoin Mr. Musk from issuing orders to any person in the Executive Branch outside of DOGE and otherwise engaging in the actions of an officer of the United States.”

The Department of Justice responded by defending the president’s executive authority. A spokesperson stated that the Department would continue to support the President’s ability to carry out his official duties when challenged in federal court.

Musk Scales Back Role Amid Mounting Pressures

Elon Musk, who had initially devoted significant attention to DOGE initiatives, recently indicated he would be stepping back to concentrate on his private sector roles. In a public statement last week, Musk said he was “back to spending 24/7 at work and sleeping in conference/server/factory rooms.”

In another comment, Musk acknowledged the scope of the federal bureaucracy, noting that “the situation is much worse than I realized. It’s an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.”

The court’s decision clears the path for the core claims against Musk to advance through the judiciary, signaling potential scrutiny over the intersection of private leadership and public executive functions.

As legal proceedings continue, the case may redefine boundaries between private citizens and federal executive roles, raising broader questions about constitutional oversight and administrative structure within the current administration.