A US judge instructed on Tuesday Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to release its internal documents, stating that the agency’s efforts to reduce government size have been marked by "unusual secrecy."

After returning to the White House, US President Donald Trump launched an extensive campaign focused on reducing public spending and limiting the federal government’s role.

To achieve this, he appointed Musk, a major campaign donor turned senior advisor, to head DOGE, which has eliminated thousands of government jobs and reorganized agencies, resulting in multiple lawsuits.

US District Judge Christopher Cooper remarked that DOGE's authority "across the federal government and the dramatic cuts it has made with no congressional input appear to be unprecedented."

In his court opinion, he noted that the "rapid pace" of DOGE’s actions "requires the quick release of information about its structure and activities."

The judge emphasized this need was "especially so given the secrecy with which (DOGE) has operated."

Cooper argued that the entity is "likely covered" by the Freedom of Information Act and said that "the public would be irreparably harmed by an indefinite delay in unearthing the records."

Musk evades accountability

Last week, Musk privately assured Republican lawmakers on March 7 that he is not responsible for the mass layoffs of US federal workers sparking nationwide controversy.

Meanwhile, Trump reportedly reminded his cabinet secretaries on March 6 that hiring and firing decisions within their agencies ultimately rests with them—not with Musk.

Both Musk and Trump appear to be distancing the former from the sweeping job cuts of the past two months, despite his public endorsement of such measures. The tech mogul has previously advocated for eliminating entire federal agencies, answered questions on the topic alongside the US president, and even wielded a chainsaw at an event to symbolize his stance—all while facing legal scrutiny and expert criticism.

According to the Associated Press, Musk reassured lawmakers facing backlash from constituents—including military veterans angered by the layoffs—that these decisions are made by individual federal agencies.  

Despite mounting evidence suggesting Musk has wielded influence over federal firings, Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina, who heads the House Republicans’ campaign arm, defended him on Thursday, saying, "Elon doesn’t fire people."  

"He doesn’t have hiring and firing authority," Hudson added after meeting with Musk in the basement of the US Capitol. "The president has empowered him to uncover information, that’s it."