The Trump administration is off to a rocky start, facing at least four lawsuits in just two days over Elon Musk’s role as head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, who promised to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget but later revised this to $1 trillion, is tasked with identifying government spending reductions. DOGE, with a name humorously referencing the famous dog meme and cryptocurrency, was initially meant to be co-led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. However, Ramaswamy resigned shortly after Trump’s inauguration, leaving Musk in sole control.
The lawsuits allege that DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which mandates transparency and balanced advice from federal advisory committees. Three lawsuits filed by groups including Public Citizen and Democracy Forward argue that DOGE should comply with FACA rules, while Trump counters that DOGE operates within the government and is exempt. A fourth lawsuit seeks records of DOGE’s interactions with the White House during the transition period.
Meanwhile, Trump has wasted no time issuing a slew of executive orders to reshape policies across various sectors:
- Gender Policy: Trump signed an order affirming the recognition of only two genders, halting programs promoting diversity and inclusivity, and pledging to defend women against “gender ideology extremism.”
- Free Speech: He vowed to protect free speech, accusing the previous administration of censorship, and banned federal employees from actions that infringe on Americans’ speech rights.
- Immigration: Declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, Trump reversed Biden-era policies, deployed troops to the border, and restricted citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. He promised to halt illegal entries and deport millions.
- January 6 Pardons: Trump pardoned 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol riots, fulfilling a promise to his supporters.
- Energy Policy: Trump pledged to “unleash American energy,” reversing restrictions on drilling in Alaska and removing regulations he described as burdensome.
- Death Penalty: An order was signed to restore the death penalty nationwide, ensuring states have sufficient lethal injection drugs.
- Renaming the Gulf of Mexico: Trump officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” though this change holds no international recognition.
- Cost of Living: Aimed at reducing housing and energy costs, Trump eliminated climate policies he claimed inflated prices for food and fuel.
- Federal Workforce: Federal employees were reclassified as political hires, making them easier to fire, and a hiring freeze was implemented to shrink the size of government.
- Drug Cartels: International drug cartels are now classified as terrorist organizations, reflecting Trump’s hardline stance.
These sweeping changes mark a dramatic start to Trump’s second term, stirring controversy and legal battles while reinforcing his commitment to his core agenda. The administration has yet to comment on the lawsuits or address public concerns about transparency and governance under DOGE.
