New York: A U.S. judge has declined to immediately prevent Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from directing the termination of federal employees or accessing government databases. However, the court acknowledged concerns over Musk’s extensive authority as a key figure in President Donald Trump’s administration.
Washington-based U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled against a temporary injunction requested by more than a dozen states. The request aimed to prohibit DOGE from accessing computer systems across seven federal agencies or implementing workforce reductions while legal proceedings continue.
Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, leads DOGE, the agency spearheading President Trump’s initiative to restructure and downsize the federal government.
A judge refused to block Elon Musk's government efficiency department from firing federal workers or accessing databases but expressed concerns about Musk's unchecked authority as a deputy to President Donald Trump https://t.co/Ffyo7CjbWV pic.twitter.com/4Art2nQpac
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 19, 2025
Judicial Concerns Over Musk’s Authority
In her ruling, Judge Chutkan noted that the states had raised valid concerns about Musk’s seemingly unchecked power.
“The states legitimately call into question what appears to be the unchecked authority of an unelected individual and an entity that was not created by Congress and over which it has no oversight,” Chutkan wrote. However, she stated that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated an immediate need for emergency judicial intervention.
The lawsuit, filed by multiple states, sought to restrict DOGE’s access to information systems and prevent it from terminating employees within the Departments of Labor, Education, Health and Human Services, Energy, Transportation, and Commerce, as well as the Office of Personnel Management.
Chutkan indicated that while the states could still prevail in their legal challenge, their request for an emergency order was overly broad and speculative.
Political and Legal Responses
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, one of the officials spearheading the lawsuit, reaffirmed her commitment to challenging DOGE’s authority.
“We will continue to fight in court to protect the rights of all Arizonans from unconstitutional executive overreach,” Mayes stated.
Other attorneys general involved in the case did not immediately provide comments.
DOGE’s Impact on Federal Operations
Since Trump’s return to office last month, DOGE has aggressively restructured federal agencies, cutting thousands of jobs and dismantling programs deemed inefficient. The plaintiffs argue that Musk is exercising powers that should be reserved for officials appointed and confirmed under the U.S. Constitution’s Appointments Clause. They further contend that DOGE lacks congressional authorization and is jeopardizing the states’ ability to administer key programs, including education initiatives.
The lawsuit accuses Musk’s team of unauthorized access to federal agency data and initiating mass firings among the federal workforce, which numbers approximately 2.3 million employees. It was filed by over a dozen states and publicly announced by attorneys general from New Mexico, Michigan, and Arizona.
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“The court is aware that DOGE’s unpredictable actions have resulted in considerable uncertainty and confusion for Plaintiffs and many of their agencies and residents. But the ‘possibility’ that defendants may take actions that irreparably harm plaintiffs is not enough,” Chutkan ruled.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
Judge Chutkan, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, previously presided over a criminal case involving Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. That case was dropped following Trump’s victory in the 2024 election.
The legal battle over DOGE’s authority is unfolding across multiple jurisdictions. At least 20 lawsuits have been filed in various federal courts, with mixed outcomes.
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Last week, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas in New York extended an order preventing DOGE from accessing Treasury Department systems responsible for handling trillions of dollars in payments. However, Washington-based U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss ruled on Monday that the Department of Education could grant DOGE access to internal databases containing financial aid records for millions of Americans.
Many federal judges presiding over DOGE-related cases have yet to issue rulings, leaving uncertainty over the agency’s long-term authority and scope of action.
