57 sources·Politics

Musk's Role in Trump Administration Faces Legal Scrutiny Amid Misinformation on Social Security Payments

Recent claims by Trump and Musk about Social Security fraud involving centenarians have been debunked, as legal challenges to Musk's agency continue.

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  1. Stephen Miller shouts at CNN anchor in heated interview over DOGE findings

    Miller defended President Donald Trump‘s appointment of advisers, including himself and DOGE head Elon Musk, to work within the government, arguing this is how democracy works in that people vote for a president who then recruits people to serve on his staff.

    Stephen Miller shouts at CNN anchor in heated interview over DOGE findings

    Washington ExaminerWashington Examiner·1M
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  2. US judge declines to halt Trump’s push to slash federal workforce

    It was a rare legal victory for the Trump administration, which has seen several federal courts issue restraining orders to halt its actions.

    US judge declines to halt Trump’s push to slash federal workforce

    Al JazeeraAl Jazeera·1M
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  3. Judge denies states' bid to curtail DOGE's powers

    The ruling does not end the case, and Chutkan, who presided over the now-scuttled criminal election interference case against President Donald Trump, made clear she has concerns about DOGE's powers and authority.

    Judge denies states' bid to curtail DOGE's powers

    NBC NewsNBC News·1M
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  4. Judge says Musk's power appears to be 'unchecked,' but declines to issue restraining order in AGs lawsuit

    The lawsuit alleged that Musk's "seemingly limitless and unchecked power to strip the government of its workforce and eliminate entire departments with the stroke of a pen or click of a mouse would have been shocking to those who won this country's independence."

    Judge says Musk's power appears to be 'unchecked,' but declines to issue restraining order in AGs lawsuit

    Business InsiderBusiness Insider·1M
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  5. Jack Smith among 900 former prosecutors alarmed by Trump's DOJ

    The unprecedented exodus teed up a dramatic battle between Trump loyalists who have taken control of Washington and career civil servants attempting to hold the line against alleged overreach.

    Jack Smith among 900 former prosecutors alarmed by Trump's DOJ

    AxiosAxios·1M
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  6. DC judge blocks bid to stop DOGE mass firings, federal data access

    The court is aware that DOGE’s unpredictable actions have resulted in considerable uncertainty and confusion for Plaintiffs and many of their agencies and residents.

    DC judge blocks bid to stop DOGE mass firings, federal data access

    New York PostNew York Post·1M
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  7. Judge Chutkan rejects bid to block Musk and DOGE from federal systems

    The Tesla and SpaceX CEO's exact role in the Trump administration could be a crucial factor as it relates to DOGE's access to government data.

    Judge Chutkan rejects bid to block Musk and DOGE from federal systems

    NewsweekNewsweek·1M
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  8. Elon Musk Is DOGE’s Frontman But He Doesn’t Actually Work There

    As DOGE penetrates ever deeper into federal networks, pushing staff to quit and demanding scything budget cuts, its internal workings remain largely a black box — despite Musk’s promises of transparency.

    Elon Musk Is DOGE’s Frontman But He Doesn’t Actually Work There

    BloombergBloomberg·1M
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  9. Top US prosecutor quits over pressure to investigate Biden climate spending

    The resignation adds to broader upheaval within the justice department, where prosecutors considered unaligned with current leadership have faced termination, particularly those involved in January 6 investigations.

    Top US prosecutor quits over pressure to investigate Biden climate spending

    The GuardianThe Guardian·1M
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  10. Judge won't block Musk and DOGE from accessing data, making cuts at 7 federal agencies

    Musk has not been nominated by the president nor confirmed by the U.S. Senate, as constitutionally required for officers who exercise 'significant authority pursuant to the laws of the United States.'

    Judge won't block Musk and DOGE from accessing data, making cuts at 7 federal agencies

    CBS NewsCBS News·1M
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  11. Elon Musk and GOP Pretend No One Is Responsible for DOGE Chaos

    When you add it all up, it amounts to a radical makeover of the federal government in which no one in the new regime is willing to acknowledge what’s happening or who’s in charge.

    Elon Musk and GOP Pretend No One Is Responsible for DOGE Chaos

    New York MagazineNew York Magazine·1M
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  12. White House Says Elon Musk Is Not In Charge at DOGE

    The DOGE team has roamed from agency to agency, tapping into computer systems, digging into budgets and searching for waste, fraud and abuse, while lawsuits pile up claiming Trump and DOGE are violating the law.

    White House Says Elon Musk Is Not In Charge at DOGE

    TIME MagazineTIME Magazine·1M
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  13. White House says Elon Musk is Trump’s adviser and not the DOGE administrator

    Musk’s exact role could be key in the legal fight over DOGE’s access to government data as the Trump administration moves to lay off thousands of federal workers.

    White House says Elon Musk is Trump’s adviser and not the DOGE administrator

    Boston HeraldBoston Herald·1M
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  14. Judge Tanya Chutkan Just Ruined the Anti-DOGE Crowd's Day

    A lawsuit challenging Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) efforts to access federal data as part of its mission to root out government inefficiencies might not go as planned.

    Judge Tanya Chutkan Just Ruined the Anti-DOGE Crowd's Day

    TownhallTownhall·1M
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  15. White House says Elon Musk is not in charge of DOGE -- legally, anyway

    Musk not being the legal leader of DOGE is a legal and technical distinction that contradicts the public representations made by Musk, DOGE and President Trump about the billionaire's position in the federal government, and continues to raise questions about the operations of an effort that Musk claimed to be "maximally transparent."

    White House says Elon Musk is not in charge of DOGE -- legally, anyway

    NPRNPR·1M
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  16. Elon Musk Not DOGE Employee, Has No Decision-Making Authority: White House

    Some lawmakers have been critical of DOGE, which has been examining data across executive branch agencies in recent weeks.

    Elon Musk Not DOGE Employee, Has No Decision-Making Authority: White House

    Epoch TimesEpoch Times·1M
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  17. DOGE Announces $55 Billion in Savings

    Almost a month into the Trump Administration, the Department of Government Efficiency has announced substantial savings in government spending.

    DOGE Announces $55 Billion in Savings

    NewsmaxNewsmax·1M
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  18. Contradictory statements about Musk make it unclear who runs DOGE

    The mystery about DOGE's organization and leadership does not appear limited to members of the public; lawyers for the Trump administration have similarly struggled with the question in court.

    Contradictory statements about Musk make it unclear who runs DOGE

    ABC NewsABC News·1M
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  16. The Guardian
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  18. The Blaze
  19. New York Magazine
  20. TIME Magazine
  21. USA TODAY
  22. Boston Herald
  23. MSNBC
  24. Townhall
  25. Fox Business
  26. NPR
  27. Epoch Times
  28. Newsmax
  29. ABC News

Feb 18th, 2025, 2:44 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

A White House affidavit clarified that Elon Musk serves as a senior adviser, not as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Recent claims by Trump and Musk about tens of millions of centenarians fraudulently receiving Social Security payments have been refuted, stating they misrepresent the data. A federal judge recently denied immediate relief to 14 states against Musk's involvement with DOGE, highlighting ongoing confusion surrounding this oversight body. Meanwhile, Justice Department unrest prompted the resignation of Denise Cheung after she resisted directives from Trump-appointed officials, affecting the agency's stability and clarity in power dynamics.


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Musk's Role in Trump Administration Faces Legal Scrutiny Amid Misinformation on Social Security Payments - Pano News