Overview
- U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang denied a protective order and compelled depositions of Elon Musk, former acting USAID official Peter Marocco, and State Department official Jeremy Lewin.
- The judge found there was no alternative because documents and lower-level testimony failed to identify who authorized actions such as shutting USAID’s headquarters and website.
- The ruling questioned whether the apex doctrine applies, noting the informal or acting status of the roles at issue and that Musk is no longer a government official.
- Justice Department claims that testimony would intrude on presidential functions were rejected in favor of possible subject-matter limits, and deposition dates have not been set.
- Anonymous former USAID employees allege Appointments Clause and separation-of-powers violations, with reporting citing Lancet research warning the abrupt cuts could lead to 14 million additional deaths by 2030.