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The US government has shown it will file a long-term lawsuit against Elon Musk’s SpaceX. They alleged that the company’s employment procedures illegally discriminated against asylum seekers and refugees.
The Justice Department move has seen Musk, who has repeatedly criticized the incident, play an increasingly prominent role in Donald Trump’s administration, bringing aggressive government-wide cost-cutting measures, including agencies regulating his six businesses. It happens when you’re supervising.
DOJ first sued SpaceX in 2023 during Joe Biden’s presidency, and despite the fact that the company has no legal courts for non-citizens who play the role in question, applicants are still US citizens. or claimed that they posted employment claiming to be permanent resident.
Prosecutors argued SpaceX “actively discouraged Asylees and the refugees from seeking job opportunities in the company.”
Musk denied the allegation by writing in a social media post at the time. “SpaceX has been repeatedly told that hiring people who are not permanent residents of the United States violates the International Arms Trafficking Act, a criminal offence.”
He added: This is another case of DOJ weaponization for political purposes. ”
In a opposition motion filed Thursday evening in federal court in Texas, the DOJ asks that the DOJ lift the stay in the case “with the aim of allowing the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division to file a notice of rejection of administrative proceedings.” Ta. .
Although it did not provide the legitimacy of the intended dismissal, the judge previously showed that DOJ may not have the authority to pursue claims against SpaceX.
Musk, DOJ, and SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment.
Musk has become the de facto leader of the so-called Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This has cancelled contracts for several agencies, including those that have investigated SpaceX, Tesla and more, and has suspended staff. The White House said Musk would “excuse himself” from a potential conflict of interest.
This week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that Doge envoys had been introduced to the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency that proposed a SpaceX fine. Duffy said at a Senate hearing last month that if confirmed, he would consider the $633,000 fine proposed by the FAA against SPACEX that violates launch licensing requirements during two missions in 2023.
This week, Texas Environmental Group dropped another lawsuit against SpaceX over suspicion of water pollution at a launch site near Brownsville.