WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) – A federal prosecutor appointed by President Donald Trump has warned that anyone obstructing Elon Musk’s government efficiency efforts may face criminal charges.
Edward Martin, the interim U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., sent a letter to Musk on Monday, stating that any threats or actions against employees of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “may break numerous laws.”
“Let me assure you of this: we will pursue any and all legal action against anyone who impedes your work or threatens your people,” Martin wrote in the letter, which he posted on his personal X account. Musk responded with a thank-you message.
Reports of Resistance Against DOGE
The warning follows reports that career government officials attempted to block DOGE employees from accessing sensitive information. Two senior security officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a key target of Musk’s initiative, were reportedly dismissed after attempting to prevent DOGE staff from entering secure areas. Members of the U.S. Marshals Service intervened in the dispute, according to Reuters sources.
The New York Times also reported that a Treasury Department official unsuccessfully tried to resist DOGE’s attempts to gain access to the agency’s payment system.
Martin noted in his letter that his office had worked with the DOGE team over the weekend, though he did not disclose specific details. He urged Musk to report any “questionable conduct” for potential investigation.
Trump Administration’s Grip on DOJ
This move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten control over the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Last week, the DOJ announced an investigation into a New York sheriff’s office for releasing an immigrant living in the U.S. illegally, marking the first enforcement of Trump’s new policy targeting state and local agencies that defy federal immigration directives.
Musk, CEO of Tesla (TSLA.O) and SpaceX and owner of X, is spearheading an aggressive downsizing of the federal government. His team has already initiated large-scale buyouts for federal employees.
Martin, as interim U.S. attorney, previously dismissed all pending criminal cases related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot following Trump’s orders. His public statements have strongly supported Trump, breaking the traditional neutrality expected of U.S. attorneys.
