Elon Musk’s SpaceX has launched a countersuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in a bid to halt a lawsuit alleging discriminatory hiring practices, The Hill reported. 

SpaceX argues the DOJ’s case is unconstitutional as it bypasses federal court, denying the company its right to a jury trial.

The DOJ had earlier sued SpaceX after a lengthy probe into its hiring methods. It alleged that SpaceX discouraged refugees and asylum grantees from applying to certain positions and disregarded their applications.

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In August, the DOJ rebuffed SpaceX's assertion that "export control laws" hindered the hiring of noncitizens who weren’t legal permanent residents.

SpaceX, in its countersuit, defended its hiring practices, asserting it “has not engaged in any practice or pattern of discriminating against anyone, including asylees or refugees.”

The firm clarified that due to the sensitive nature of its work, certain legal and regulatory restrictions determine who it can employ.

Three DOJ officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, are named as defendants in their official roles in SpaceX’s countersuit.

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