The White House announced that Elon Musk does not have official powers

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Prosecutors and officials from 14 US states have sued President Donald Trump and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Elon Musk. They expressed dissatisfaction with the broad powers granted to Musk. The White House responded by explaining the billionaire's role in government.

According to the White House court filing, Elon Musk is not an employee of the Department of Government Efficiency. The billionaire works as an adviser to the president.

"Like other senior White House advisers, Musk does not have official authority to independently make government decisions. He can only advise the president and convey his instructions," the filing says.

The White House has been forced to reveal Musk’s role in the lawsuits because DOGE’s decisions have sparked a flurry of lawsuits. The department has slashed federal employees and halted spending approved by Congress, many calling it the result of “unconstrained authority” given to Musk.

Fourteen states from Arizona to Washington have filed lawsuits against Musk, DOGE, and Trump, alleging that Musk is abusing his power and taking “acts that only an appointed, high-ranking official of the United States can do.”

“There is no greater threat to democracy than the concentration of government power in the hands of a single, unelected individual,” the lawsuit states.

A judge on February 18 denied the states’ request to temporarily block Musk and DOGE from accessing data and to halt the firing of state employees. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”