Elon Musk works as an adviser to US President Donald Trump and does not officially lead the Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to a White House official's court filing.
DOGE "is separate from the White House Office," Joshua Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration, told a court, adding that "Mr. Musk is an employee of the White House Office, not an employee of DOGE."
Created by a presidential decree from the American president on January 20, the day of his inauguration, DOGE's mission is to "modernize federal technology and software to maximize government efficiency and productivity," according to the text.
From the beginning, the businessman seems to be behind all the actions of DOGE, whose name resonates as a reference to Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency promoted by Elon Musk.
In November, before his inauguration as President, Trump announced that "the great Elon Musk, along with American patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Office of Government Efficiency."
In the January 20 decree, the department appears officially linked to the division called the White House Executive Office, different, therefore, from the White House Office to which Elon Musk is linked, in which he exercises, according to Fisher, a role as "special advisor" to the president.
"In his role as special counsel to the President, Mr. Musk has no more authority than any other White House special counsel. Like other special counsels, Mr. Musk has no actual or formal authority to make decisions on his own. Mr. Musk can only advise the President and convey his directives," the federal official clarified.
Joshua Fisher made the statement as part of a lawsuit filed on February 13 against Elon Musk, Donald Trump and DOGE by authorities in 14 US states, including New Mexico, who believe Elon Musk is acting in a role that exceeds his official duties.
Since "his nomination has not been confirmed by the Senate," his actions "are unconstitutional," the document's signatories argue.
In a television interview that will be broadcast later today, and excerpts of which are known, Donald Trump defends his relationship with Elon Musk and mocks comments that the businessman controls the US executive branch.
In another part of this interview, the President denounces his opponents who want to sow discord between him and Musk.
"'Donald Trump has ceded control of the presidency to Elon Musk. President Musk will be holding a cabinet meeting tonight at 8:00 p.m.,' they say. I tell them this is a big trick, they are very weak," the White House tenant quipped.
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