Ronald Satish Emrit, a self-represented plaintiff, has filed a lawsuit demanding $500 billion in damages against several high-profile defendants for alleged civil rights violations and interference with business relations. The complaint was lodged on January 8, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, targeting Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and a non-existent entity referred to as the Department of Government Efficiency.
Emrit's allegations stem from what he perceives as attempts by the defendants to implement drastic budget cuts amounting to one trillion dollars. He claims these cuts would severely impact social welfare programs that support African-Americans and other underprivileged communities across the United States. According to Emrit, such actions violate multiple constitutional provisions including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Protection Clause, Due Process Clause, Privileges and Immunities Clause, Fourth Amendment rights to privacy, and First Amendment freedom of association.
The plaintiff accuses Elon Musk of leveraging his business interests in companies like SpaceX and Tesla to influence government policies without public mandate. Similarly, Vivek Ramaswamy is criticized for potential conflicts of interest involving government contracts. Emrit also targets Speaker Mike Johnson for allegedly pursuing policies detrimental to minority communities. Furthermore, he challenges the legitimacy of the Department of Government Efficiency’s role in governmental decision-making processes.
In addition to monetary compensation for damages claimed under civil rights violations and tortious interference with business relations/contracts, Emrit seeks injunctive relief. He requests court orders preventing further budget cuts affecting social programs and demands legal action against Musk for purported foreign election interference due to his South African origins. Moreover, Emrit aims to halt any establishment or influence by an unauthorized Department of Government Efficiency over federal budgeting processes.
The case presents a complex interplay between individual grievances and broader political implications as articulated by Emrit. He represents himself pro se in this matter before Magistrate Judges Karen Wells Roby, Janis Van Meerveld, and Donna Phillips Currault who are tasked with evaluating his claims under case number 1:25-cv-0051.