Today, Attorney General Dan Rayfield, alongside 13 other attorneys general, initiated legal proceedings to contest the delegation of executive power to Elon Musk. The lawsuit asserts that President Trump has overstepped his authority by establishing a new federal department without Congressional approval, thus violating the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution. This move granted Musk extensive control over the federal government without obtaining Senate consent for his appointment.
"Elon Musk’s attempt to demolish key government systems has thrown everything into chaos," stated Rayfield. "This power grab puts people’s privacy and security at risk. No one should be able to mess with the systems that keep our country running."
The lawsuit outlines how Musk's actions have disrupted federal agencies, accessed sensitive data, and caused widespread disturbances for state and local governments, federal employees, and citizens. The Trump administration's decision and Musk's involvement threaten billions in federal funding for critical services such as law enforcement, healthcare, and education.
Additionally, the expansion of authority within Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" poses cybersecurity risks and undermines public trust. DOGE operatives are reported to have accessed financial databases containing sensitive tax records and banking information without proper oversight, heightening the potential for cyberattacks and data breaches.
"These are the systems that keep our communities strong. We’re standing up to protect Oregonians and to ensure these vital programs stay under the control of the people, not in the hands of the president’s designated hatchet man," Rayfield remarked.
AG Rayfield is seeking a court ruling declaring Musk's actions unconstitutional with an injunction preventing him from issuing orders outside DOGE within the Executive Branch while also invalidating his prior actions.
The lawsuit was filed today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia with support from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, and Vermont.