Elon Musk, serving as the head of DOGE under the Trump administration, has been found to have engaged in "state sanctioned intimidation" against former FEMA CFO Mary Comans. A federal magistrate judge in Virginia ruled that Musk posted false accusations on X in February 2025, claiming Comans was involved in "criminal action" and had "funneling $58 million to illegal migrant hotels in Manhattan." The judge's decision cleared Comans' name, stating that high-ranking government officials, including Musk, had conducted a coordinated campaign to damage her reputation.
Comans, who served as FEMA CFO from January 2018 to February 2025 and as operating chief from 2020 to 2021, was wrongfully labeled by the Department of Homeland Security as a "deep state activist" following Musk's posts. Judge William Fitzpatrick highlighted that Musk, knowing the payments were approved by his subordinates, falsely characterized Comans' government service as criminal. The judge described Musk's actions as "little more than state sanctioned intimidation."
The Democracy Defenders Fund, which supported Comans' case, expressed satisfaction with the ruling. Craig Becker, the group's head of affirmative litigation, emphasized that career public servants should not be used as "pawns" for political gain. CNBC has reached out to Musk and White House attorneys for comment.