DOJ threatens legal action against 'anyone who impedes' Elon Musk's DOGE work
Source: USA Today
Published 3:22 p.m. ET Feb. 3, 2025 | Updated 3:48 p.m. ET Feb. 3, 2025
WASHINGTON ― The interim U.S. attorney in Washington warned Monday his office would pursue charges against "anyone who impedes" the work of tech entrepreneur Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which President Donald Trump has tasked with dismantling the federal bureaucracy.
The Justice Department's message was delivered shortly before the White House confirmed to USA TODAY that Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, had been made a "special government employee" amid his efforts to downsize and restructure the federal government.
Ed Martin, who was appointed by Trump last month as U.S. attorney of the District of Columbia, referenced DOGE staff who have been "targeted publicly," in a Monday letter to Musk. Martin said, "Any threats, confrontations, or other actions that in any way impact their work may break numerous laws." He did not specify which laws.
"Let me assure you of this: we will pursue any and all legal action against anyone who impedes on your work or threatens your people," Martin said. "We will protect DOGE and other (federal) workers no matter what."
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/02/03/doj-threatens-legal-action-musks-doge/78183472007/

dchill
(41,151 posts)Fuck Musk
Baron2024
(1,057 posts)Musk and his DOGE Agents are actually the ones guilty of committing a crime. Their "authority" is unconstitutional. They are guilty of Obstruction of Government Operations.
Their attempts to freeze Federal funds is illegal as well. The Executive Branch does not have the legal right to freeze funds that have been authorized by the Congress. They also have no legal right to dissolve an Agency created by Congress.
This is a flagrant violation of the Constitution and the Separation of Powers. These people are domestic enemies of the Constitution and everyone that has taken an Oath to defend the Constitution must take action against these traitors and criminals.
It seems clear that these fascists will now weaponize the criminal justice system in DC and will drum up false and spurious charges against anyone that tries to stand against their authoritarian takeover of OUR government. This is an attempted deathblow to our Democracy. I do not believe that the People will stand for it. There will be an uprising of millions.
elleng
(137,919 posts)and they are indeed the actual criminals.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat has spent years studying such as they; I can't imagine how she has retained her sanity while doing so.
I suspect she has some ideas which would likely be worthy of our attention.
Also, Ruth Ben-Ghiat is excellent.
Irish_Dem
(63,250 posts)The criminals are protected, law abiding people are targeted.
oldmanlynn
(564 posts)I mean they can go to court and they can sue. They just gotta be with standing, but they could sue to this and get injunctions.
Baron2024
(1,057 posts)I thought that I would repost this here for anyone that has not seen this. I wrote a post that is a Plan for Lawful Resistance. You may agree or disagree with it, but it is intended to be a starting point for discussion. Constructive and respectful comments are welcome.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219985541
Timeflyer
(2,869 posts)Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)
Skittles This message was self-deleted by its author.
liberalgunwilltravel
(638 posts)All those FBI agents that youve fucked decide they are not only not going to do your dirty work, but they decide they are going to turn their guns on the real criminals?
JT45242
(3,090 posts)This is becoming more clear every day. They plan to go go fill fascists within 6-8 months.
The courts move slowly.
Between the federalist society and white supremacists infiltrating law enforcement, they have plenty of goons. Then throw in the one third of law enforcement who are to abuse and bully types. They think they have plenty.
I fear they are correct.
Walleye
(37,499 posts)Right now, the United States government is Elons hobby
KS Toronado
(20,510 posts)Damn it feels like we're starting to circle the drain and we're running out of time to stop it.
Walleye
(37,499 posts)Take a salary. These assholes go around like theyre above all that. Do they work for us or not? if theyre not working for us, theyre working for themselves. Nobody works for nothing.
BumRushDaShow
(146,796 posts)travelingthrulife
(1,456 posts)They have taken over the electronic files.
Botany
(73,101 posts)A nice big public trial to show everybody Trump & Musks rat fucking of America
would be nice.
Irish_Dem
(63,250 posts)Our new reality.
tanyev
(45,261 posts)Passed a drug test? Thats pretty standard for any government job, even contractors.
Magoo48
(5,837 posts)DallasNE
(7,660 posts)Be sure to ask for a jury trial.
OldBaldy1701E
(7,087 posts)You are defending the criminals.
But they are aware of this.
How about ten thousand people peacefully standing in front of each of those locations? How about let's see if the DOJ can arrest and hold ten thousand people, per location, at one time? Let's see if the ten thousand go along with being held over protecting their country. Or even arrested at that point.
Or, roll over and play dead. It is on us.
bluestarone
(18,685 posts)That's where we live everyday since Nov 5th.
Marthe48
(19,941 posts)at one time.
maybe doj should be renamed dodgy
No good thoughts for any of them.
Lovie777
(16,363 posts)Basso8vb
(645 posts)Things will not turn out well for the little nazi.
travelingthrulife
(1,456 posts)This really is an assault.
4catsmom
(457 posts)you're a traitor
NoMoreRepugs
(10,931 posts)past. Strongly worded letters and lawsuits will be as useless as the paper they are written on.
C_U_L8R
(46,119 posts)Discovery will reveal a lot.
patphil
(7,354 posts)anyone who messes with the DOGGY will get hammered?
The Trump administration is already a lawless entity. It took less than 2 weeks to end the rule of law in the US.
LetMyPeopleVote
(157,621 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(157,621 posts)TFG's new acting attorney for DC is not only out to pursue political vengeance on TFG's behalf but to also protect Doge, musk and the muskrats
https://bsky.app/profile/carolynsandidge.bsky.social/post/3lhhswi6nw22z
Trumps top D.C. prosecutor vows to wield the law against those who get in Elon Musks way
Link to tweet
https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/ed-martin-dc-attorney-elon-musk-doge-rcna190792
Theres a through-line between the two seemingly separate efforts that does well to capture the Trump administrations approach to law and order in the Musk era: That is, using the law as a shield for Trump/Musk supporters and a sword against their critics. .....
Bear that in mind while considering his public message to Musk, posted to the billionaires social media platform on Monday. We will protect DOGE and other workers no matter what, Martin wrote, calling it important to keep American employees safe and to protect the American peoples property. He also bemoaned thugs with guns [who] trashed our capital city. (Martin was not referring to Jan. 6 defendants there.)
Separately, the federal prosecutors office for D.C. issued an official statement saying that an initial review showed that certain individuals and/or groups have committed acts that appear to violate the law in targeting DOGE employees and that the office has our prosecutors preparing.
Preparing what? Against whom? And what laws?
Martin didnt specify, which can be its own problem to the extent it chills protected expression. The prosecutors letter followed reporting from Wired that identified six young men all apparently between the ages of 19 and 24, according to public databases, their online presences, and other records who have little to no government experience and are now playing critical roles in Musks crew......
Putting aside whether Musk and his staff have broken the law, if people are committing crimes against them, then prosecutors with relevant jurisdiction should take action. Indeed, that basic principle goes without saying and usually goes unsaid. Martins public statements raise questions about his motivation for a public display and about whether hes gearing up to weaponize government against people for exercising their rights, which, of course, is how he and the Trump administration have cast the Jan. 6 prosecutions.