Is Musk’s DOGE Dodging the Law? Laurence Tribe Debates Michael W. McConnell, March 4

Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have taken on a contentious role in the new Trump administration, which has affected federal agencies and thousands of workers. But are DOGE’s actions legal? Those arguing they aren’t worry it is overstepping and violating the Constitution. Those supporting DOGE’s actions say it is fulfilling its mandate and doing exactly what it was created for. On March 4, nonpartisan debate series Open to Debate takes on these issues with a virtual debate on the question: “Is Musk’s DOGE Dodging the Law?”

Arguing “YES” is constitutional law scholar Laurence Tribe, co-founder of the American Constitution Society who has taught and mentored prominent legal figures including Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Elena Kagan. Arguing “NO” is Stanford law professor Michael W. McConnell, former Judge of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals who has published widely in the fields of constitutional law and theory, especially church and state, equal protection, and separation of powers.

While the debate will not be released widely until March 7 via public radio, video and podcast, press are invited to attend and ask questions at the live virtual taping on Tuesday, March 4 at 2:30 PM ET. raypadgett@shorefire.com for access.

PARTICIPANT BIOS

* Laurence Tribe, University Professor of Constitutional Law Emeritus at Harvard Law School
Laurence Tribe is the Carl M. Loeb University Professor of Constitutional Law Emeritus at Harvard University. The title “University Professor” is Harvard’s highest academic honor, awarded to fewer than 75 professors in the University’s history. Tribe began teaching at Harvard Law School in 1968 and went on to teach and mentor dozens of prominent figures in the legal and political firmament, including President Barack Obama, Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Elena Kagan, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Representatives Jamie Raskin and Adam Schiff, and White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain. Throughout his career, he clerked for the California and U.S. Supreme Courts, helped write the constitutions of South Africa, the Czech Republic, and the Marshall Islands, has prevailed in three-fifths of appellate cases he has argued (including 35 in the U.S. Supreme Court), co-founded the American Constitution Society, and was appointed in 2010 by President Obama to serve as the first Senior Counselor for Access to Justice and in 2021 by President Biden to serve on the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States. He has written 115 books and articles, including “American Constitutional Law,” which has been cited more than any other legal text since 1950. Former Solicitor General Erwin Griswold wrote: “[N]o book, and no lawyer not on the [Supreme] Court, has ever had a greater influence on the development of American constitutional law.”

* Michael W. McConnell: Former Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; Law Professor and Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School
Michael W. McConnell is the Richard and Frances Mallery Professor and Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School, and a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. From 2002 to 2009, he served as a Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He has published widely in the fields of constitutional law and theory, especially church and state, equal protection, and separation of powers. His book, “The President Who Would Not Be King: Executive Power Under the Constitution,” was based on the Tanner Lectures in Human Values, and his latest book, co-authored with Nathan Chapman, is “Agreeing to Disagree: How the Establishment Clause Protects Religious Diversity and Freedom of Conscience.” McConnell has argued sixteen cases in the Supreme Court, including Carney v. Adams, and was co-counsel in Gonzalez v. Google. He served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. and D.C. Circuit Chief Judge J. Skelly Wright. He has been Assistant General Counsel of the Office of Management & Budget, Assistant to the Solicitor General of the Department of Justice, and a member of the President’s Intelligence Oversight Board. He is Senior of Counsel to the law firm Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, and is co-chair of Meta’s Oversight Review Board.

ABOUT OPEN TO DEBATE
Open to Debate addresses a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. We are the nation's only nonpartisan, debate-driven media organization dedicated to bringing multiple viewpoints together for a constructive, balanced, respectful exchange of ideas. Open to Debate is a platform for intellectually curious and open-minded people to engage with others holding opposing views on complex issues. We know debate works to find common ground: On average, 32% of the Open to Debate audience changes their mind on contentious topics after hearing a debate. That’s the power of debate done right, and at scale, it can change the direction we’re headed in America. Open to Debate is broadcast as a weekly public radio program, carried on NPR stations including WNYC (#1 in the nation). Open to Debate is made available as a podcast, video series, and digital platform, and records episodes with live audiences nationwide. Visit opentodebate.org to become a member, access an archive of more than 220 debates, and attend live events.

Go here for photos, links and more info: https://shorefire.com/roster/open-to-debate

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