Elon Musk calls for the abolition of all federal agencies; 14 states in the United States sue: You are unconstitutional.

As Elon Musk, leading the “Department of Government Efficiency,” launches a major review of U.S. federal government agencies, criticism of Musk having too much power has continued to rise.

On February 13, local time, 14 U.S. states filed a joint lawsuit, suing Musk, U.S. President Donald Trump, and the Department of Government Efficiency, alleging that all parties violated the Constitution. As the lawsuit was added to, Musk continued to make remarks, saying that all federal agencies should be “removed.”

On Thursday, the attorneys general of 14 states—including New Mexico, Michigan, California, Oregon, Washington, and others—filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., accusing Trump of violating the Constitution by establishing the Department of Government Efficiency without congressional approval. They also alleged that Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency he leads exercising “unrestricted power” over the federal government without authorization from Congress violates the Constitution.

The complaint states that what Musk has done with the federal government is the kind of action that can only be taken by officials approved by the Senate through a vote. But without authorization, Musk dismantled federal agencies and obtained sensitive data, seriously hindering state governments, local governments, federal employees, and the American public. The Department of Government Efficiency also threatens cybersecurity and undermines public trust in the federal government.

The 14 states ask the court to prohibit Musk from issuing orders to administrative departments other than the Department of Government Efficiency, and to declare that his actions have no legal effect. Regarding “data obtained through unlawful agencies,” the states ask Musk to explain how the relevant data is being used, and ask the court to halt Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency’s “unauthorized acquisition.”

The complaint also requests a prohibition on Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency unilaterally changing how public funds are used, canceling government contracts, taking measures to disband federal government agencies, and so on.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said at a press conference that the states’ goal is to have the court declare Musk’s directives and actions invalid and issue a restraining order. Arizona Attorney General Chris Mayes also said that Americans, after 250 years, are being driven by an “unelected billionaire,” which would anger the founding fathers of the United States.

On Thursday itself, while Musk was attending the World Government Summit in the UAE, he further said the United States should “remove all federal agencies, not leave some behind.” He said that if you don’t root out the weeds, they will quickly grow back.

At present, the Department of Government Efficiency led by Musk is facing a series of lawsuits. This week, more than 20 federal government employees filed a lawsuit seeking to block Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency from obtaining sensitive data and firing federal employees, until Musk receives a lawful appointment in accordance with the U.S. Constitution.

Last week, the attorneys general of 19 states filed a lawsuit seeking to bar the Department of Government Efficiency from obtaining personal data from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, accusing the Department of Government Efficiency’s actions of violating the Constitution. A New York state judge then temporarily barred the Department of Government Efficiency from obtaining the relevant data.

Regarding the latest lawsuit, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt condemned the states for using the courts as a weapon to attack Trump, and announced that the White House will continue fighting in court with all parties.

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Responsible editor: Wang Xuning