DOJ threatens legal action against 'anyone who impedes' Elon Musk's DOGE work

[BumRushDaShow]

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]

1. Okay, Ed. Okay.

[peteme67]

20. Emperor

Fuck Musk

[Baron2024]

2. Musk And DOGE Are The Actual Criminals

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]

3. They HAVE no lawful authority,

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.

[Baron2024]

4. Agreed

Also, Ruth Ben-Ghiat is excellent.

[Irish_Dem]

15. Ruth BG would say this is all quite common in fascist takeovers.

The criminals are protected, law abiding people are targeted.

[oldmanlynn]

23. Where are the Democrats or allies of Democrats suing to stop this?

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]

5. A Plan For Lawful Resistance

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]

16. Bookmarked--thanks.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

7. And what if...

All those FBI agents that you’ve 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]

9. They will handpick FBI for loyalty to...1930s style

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]

8. Elon is an employee? Is he on the payroll? If not, he's not an employee.

Right now, the United States government is Elon‘s hobby

[KS Toronado]

10. Late news said he's now some kind of 120 day special employee.

Damn it feels like we're starting to circle the drain and we're running out of time to stop it.

[Walleye]

12. If we ever get the chance to make any laws again, we should make a law that people who work for the White House have to

Take a salary. These assholes go around like they’re above all that. Do they work for us or not? if they’re not working for us, they’re working for themselves. Nobody works for nothing.

[BumRushDaShow]

13. Probably one of those Schedule C ones - possibly this

Title 5 Chapter I Subchapter B Part 213 Subpart C Schedule C § 213.3302 Temporary transitional Schedule C positions.

[travelingthrulife]

21. He can just pit himself on the payroll if he isn't

They have taken over the electronic files.

[Botany]

11. Go for it Ed

A nice big public trial to show everybody Trump & Musk’s rat fucking of America
would be nice.

[Irish_Dem]

14. The DOJ protects criminals. And goes after people following the law.

Our new reality.

[tanyev]

17. Have all these "special government employees" had background checks?

Passed a drug test? That’s pretty standard for any government job, even contractors.

[Magoo48]

18. Doubtful the muskrat could pass a drug test.

[DallasNE]

19. Your Tax Dollars At Work

Be sure to ask for a jury trial.

[OldBaldy1701E]

22. You are firing the 'federal workers'!

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]

24. Twilight zone

That's where we live everyday since Nov 5th.

[Marthe48]

25. They called the highest ranking official in Venice Italy doge

at one time.

maybe doj should be renamed dodgy

No good thoughts for any of them.

[Lovie777]

26. Are we in Russia?.......................

[Basso8vb]

27. An extrajudicial solution is looking more and more likely.

Things will not turn out well for the little nazi.

[travelingthrulife]

34. They are backing very angry people into a corner.

This really is an assault.

[4catsmom]

28. The FBI should take you out Ed

you're a traitor

[NoMoreRepugs]

29. Time is running out people - by the 4th of July or sooner there will be no Democracy. Elections will be a thing of the

past. Strongly worded letters and lawsuits will be as useless as the paper they are written on.

[C_U_L8R]

30. Bring it on.

Discovery will reveal a lot.

[patphil]

31. So, DOGE can impede the work of several government agencies with no DOJ concern, but...

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]

32. I saw that the identity of the musk rats is oit

Link to tweet

[LetMyPeopleVote]

33. Trump's top D.C. prosecutor vows to wield the law against those who get in Elon Musk's way

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

This sh*t is only gonna get real ugly in days and weeks to come deserving.

Trump’s top D.C. prosecutor vows to wield the law against those who get in Elon Musk’s way www.msnbc.com/deadline-whi...

— (@carolynsandidge.bsky.social) 2025-02-06T00:21:24.271Z

This sh*t is only gonna get real ugly in days and weeks to come deserving.

Trump’s top D.C. prosecutor vows to wield the law against those who get in Elon Musk’s way

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/ed-martin-dc-attorney-elon-musk-doge-rcna190792

Shortly after Donald Trump’s interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia started in his position, he launched a probe of the office’s Jan. 6 work, while the Justice Department fired prosecutors who worked on those cases against Trump supporters. Ed Martin, who was a “Stop the Steal” advocate and lawyer for Jan. 6 defendants, proceeded this week to pledge support for Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” workers, assuring Musk that he’d bring the office’s full weight to bear “against anyone who impedes your work or threatens your people.”

There’s a through-line between the two seemingly separate efforts that does well to capture the Trump administration’s 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 billionaire’s 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 people’s property.” He also bemoaned “thugs with guns [who] trashed our capital city.” (Martin was not referring to Jan. 6 defendants there.)

Separately, the federal prosecutor’s 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 didn’t specify, which can be its own problem to the extent it chills protected expression. The prosecutor’s 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 Musk’s 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. Martin’s public statements raise questions about his motivation for a public display and about whether he’s 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.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

35. Musk falsely claims that it's a crime to publish the names of his partners-in-crime. Toug

Link to tweet

[LetMyPeopleVote]

36. The Staffers Helping Elon Musk Dismantle and Downsize the U.S. Government, One Agency at a Time

Musk and his lieutenants are reshaping the government and its mission with the blessing of President Trump. ProPublica has confirmed the names and roles of more than 30 staffers affiliated with the billionaire.

JUST PUBLISHED: The Staffers Helping Elon Musk Dismantle and Downsize the U.S. Government, One Agency at a Time @chrisbing.bsky.social @anniewaldman.bsky.social

— Charles Ornstein (@charlesornstein.bsky.social) 2025-02-11T23:29:49.870Z

JUST PUBLISHED: The Staffers Helping Elon Musk Dismantle and Downsize the U.S. Government, One Agency at a Time

Link to tweet

https://www.propublica.org/article/elon-musk-doge-staffers-additional-names

The Trump administration is not even a month old, but billionaire Elon Musk has already brought in dozens of staffers to help him change the face of the U.S. government. ProPublica has learned the names of nine additional employees connected to Musk’s government overhaul, adding to a tracker the news organization published last week.

The additional names help reveal Musk’s sudden and far-reaching influence across government, as these individuals have moved into a wide array of powerful posts — from chief information officers deciding government IT purchases, to seasoned lawyers helping the effort.

ProPublica has confirmed the names and roles of more than 30 Musk-affiliated staffers who are helping the world’s richest man dismantle or downsize federal agencies one by one. We have received hundreds of tips from readers. Many have helped us identify the people helping Musk, who has not been elected to any office, force out government employees and shutter federal offices.

Here is the list of Elon Musk’s Demolition Crew
https://projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-doge-tracker/