- United States
- Nev.
- Letter
The acting U.S. attorney for D.C., Ed Martin, has threatened legal action against anyone who impedes or threatens members of DOGE, a group of individuals appointed by Elon Musk to take control of several federal agencies, according to a report from The American Prospect (https://prospect.org/politics/2025-02-03-elon-musks-pet-us-attorney-threatens-anyone-reporting-on-doge/). This is highly concerning as DOGE is not a legitimate government entity, and Musk has no authority to appoint people to oversee federal agencies. Martin's statement that "we will pursue any and all legal action against anyone who impedes your work or threatens your people" provides cover for DOGE's illegal activities. Federal agencies are established and funded by Congress, not the president or private citizens like Musk. DOGE's attempted seizure of agencies like the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which oversees $5 trillion in government payments annually, poses grave risks and is an undemocratic power grab. The public has a right to scrutinize the backgrounds and motives of DOGE's unelected members, some of whom have ties to neo-Nazi ideologies according to reports. Threatening legal repercussions against those reporting on DOGE is an authoritarian tactic that undermines transparency and public accountability. Government agencies must operate within the boundaries of the law and answer to the American people, not private interests. Martin's stance enables and protects DOGE's unconstitutional overreach rather than upholding the rule of law.
