On the day President Donald Trump was sworn in, a series of lawsuits were filed against his new initiative, the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). Before Trump even completed his inaugural address, three separate lawsuits were submitted in Washington, D.C.’s federal district court. These lawsuits claim that DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), a law that mandates federal advisory groups to meet specific transparency standards.
The plaintiffs leading these legal challenges are a coalition of left-wing organizations, including Public Citizen, the American Public Health Association, and National Security Counselors—a law firm with a history of advocating for public interest issues. Their main objection is that DOGE’s structure and mission are not in line with FACA’s requirements.
DOGE is co-headed by two high-profile figures: tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Together, they have proposed an aggressive plan to slash $2 trillion in government spending and overhaul the federal bureaucracy. While Musk is focused on innovation and deregulation, Ramaswamy, who is also eyeing a political career in Ohio, is pushing for reforms aimed at streamlining government and limiting its reach. These bold goals have drawn ire from left-wing groups, who argue that DOGE’s leadership team is too ideologically homogeneous, consisting largely of conservative voices and business leaders.
The plaintiffs argue that DOGE’s makeup is fundamentally flawed. According to their lawsuits, the advisory committee does not reflect a balanced range of viewpoints. Instead, it is dominated by individuals with backgrounds in tech and conservative politics, thereby failing to provide diverse perspectives that are essential for effective governance. They claim that DOGE’s membership lacks the fairness required by FACA, rendering it unqualified for the role it is meant to perform.
In addition to these lawsuits, other left-leaning groups—including unions like the American Federation of Government Employees and watchdog organizations—are also raising concerns about the new department’s structure and potential lack of transparency. Another group, the Center for Biological Diversity, has filed a separate request demanding access to records that would show how DOGE members have engaged with the White House since the transition.
While these legal challenges may slow down the new administration’s plans, President Trump has vowed to take swift action by signing multiple executive orders, which could set the stage for further lawsuits. In the meantime, his administration is committed to pushing forward with its vision of a leaner, more efficient federal government, even in the face of opposition.