Trump Executive Order Tracker | Akin Public Policy and Lobbying

Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department Of Government Efficiency” (Trump EO Tracker)

January 21, 2025

Reading Time : 2 min
Trump Executive Order Tracker | Akin Public Policy and Lobbying

Key Updates

Summary

The EO establishes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to address inefficiencies in government operations and modernize federal technology and software. It renames the United States Digital Service to the U.S. DOGE Service and mandates the creation of agency-specific teams to implement the President’s 18-month DOGE agenda, set to conclude on July 4, 2026. Each agency head must establish a DOGE team of at least four employees, typically consisting of a team lead, an engineer, a human resources specialist, and an attorney.

Legal Challenges

Case Name New Mexico et al. v. Musk et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-00429 (D.D.C.)
Date Complaint Filed February 13, 2025
Venue U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Summary

14 State Attorneys General sued Elon Musk, U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”) Service, U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization, and President Trump, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to enjoin Musk from acting as an officer of the United States and to declare his actions to date as legally invalid. The AGs contend that Elon Musk, with President Trump’s approval, has been given unchecked authority within the federal government without proper legal authorization or Senate confirmation, in violation of the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The AGs argue that Musk’s actions and access to sensitive data pose a threat to democracy and the separation of powers. They also argue Musk’s actions exceed the authority of a government employee.  

On February 18, Judge Chutkan denied the Plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order but indicated a potentially favorable view of their argument on the merits. 

Related Cases

Several related cases were consolidated on February 18, 2025:

  • Public Citizen Inc. et al. v. Donald J. Trump and Office of Management and Budget, Case No. 1:25-cv-00164 (D.D.C.) (Lead case).
  • Lentini et al. v. Department of Government Efficiency et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-00166 (D.D.C.).
  • American Public Health Assn. et al. v. Office of Management and Budget et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-00167 (D.D.C.).

Other related cases:

  • Center for Biological Diversity v. Office of Management and Budget, Case No. 1:25-cv-00165 (D.D.C.) (FOIA complaint demanding records related to communications between OMB and DOGE’s leadership).
  • Project on Government Oversight, Inc. v. Trump et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-00527 (D.D.C.) (Challenge to Defendants’ recordkeeping policies and practices that treat federal agency records of DOGE as presidential records under the Presidential Records Act and beyond the scope of the FOIA).
  • J. Doe 1-26 v. Musk, Case No. 8:25-cv-00462-TDC (D. Md.).

Additional Documentation

Share This Insight

Categories

Related Content

Trump Executive Order Tracker

The significant number of executive orders published by the Trump Administration cut across dozens of industries and areas of law. This searchable tool breaks down the orders and their impacts on specific industries and with in-depth analysis of specific orders.

Previous Entries

Trump Executive Order Tracker

October 15, 2025

Imposes a government-wide freeze on civilian hiring across all executive departments and agencies, except for positions tied to national security, immigration enforcement, and public safety. Requires agencies to establish Strategic Hiring Committees, submit Annual Staffing Plans and quarterly updates to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and align all hiring with the administration's priorities under the Merit Hiring Plan.

...

Read More

Trump Executive Order Tracker

October 15, 2025

Directs the Secretary of Defense to use any available Fiscal Year 2025 funds to continue paying active duty and reserve military personnel during the ongoing lapse in appropriations.

...

Read More

Trump Executive Order Tracker

October 6, 2025

Approves the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority’s (AIDEA) appeal under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) and reinstates federal authorizations for the 211-mile Ambler Road Project, reversing the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) 2024 denial. Directs all relevant federal agencies to promptly reissue permits within 30 days to allow construction and operation of the road connecting the Dalton Highway to the Ambler Mining District.

...

Read More

Trump Executive Order Tracker

August 1, 2025

Directs the Secretary of Defense to federally mobilize at least 300 members of the Illinois National Guard to protect federal personnel, property, and law enforcement operations in response to escalating violence and obstruction in Illinois, especially in Chicago. 
 
This mobilization is effective immediately for up to 60 days, or otherwise determined by the Secretary. 

...

Read More

Trump Executive Order Tracker

September 30, 2025

This order directs the MAHA Commission, in coordination with the Secretary of HHS, the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST), and the Special Advisor for AI and Crypto to develop innovative ways to utilize advanced technologies such as AI to unlock improved diagnoses, treatments, cures, and prevention strategies for pediatric cancer. The initial focus will be to identify opportunities to accelerate the progress of AI-driven solutions at the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI) and fund research projects at National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers that utilize and incorporate AI in their research and analysis.
 
The order calls for increased investment and engagement in pediatric cancer care and research from both the public and private sector. The order requires that the Secretary of HHS and the ASPT ensure that AI innovation is integrated into current work on interoperability.

...

Read More

Trump Executive Order Tracker

September 29, 2025

Imposes tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act on imports of timber, lumber, and wood products to address threats to U.S. national security. Establishes duty rates of 10% on softwood lumber, 25% (rising to 30% on January 1, 2026) on upholstered wooden products, and 25% (rising to 50% on January 1, 2026) on kitchen cabinets and vanities, with capped rates of 10% for the United Kingdom and 15% for the European Union and Japan. Directs the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to monitor imports, pursue negotiations with foreign partners, and expand tariffs or impose specific, compound, or mixed duties in cases of undervaluation. Authorizes regulatory actions by Commerce, Homeland Security, and Customs to implement these provisions starting October 14, 2025.

...

Read More

Trump Executive Order Tracker

September 29, 2025

Defines any armed attack on Qatar as a threat to the U.S.. Directs the Secretary of War and State Director of National Intelligence to create joint contingency plans with Qatar to respond to threats including diplomatic, economic, or military measures.

...

Read More

Trump Executive Order Tracker

September 29, 2025

Renews 22 federal advisory committees across multiple agencies through September 30, 2027. Assigns responsibility for each committee to the relevant agency head and replaces earlier committee renewal provisions from Executive Order 14109 of September 29, 2023.  

...

Read More

© 2025 Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. All rights reserved. Attorney advertising. This document is distributed for informational use only; it does not constitute legal advice and should not be used as such. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Akin is the practicing name of Akin Gump LLP, a New York limited liability partnership authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 267321. A list of the partners is available for inspection at Eighth Floor, Ten Bishops Square, London E1 6EG. For more information about Akin Gump LLP, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and other associated entities under which the Akin Gump network operates worldwide, please see our Legal Notices page.