Judge Rejects Motion Against Musk’s Controversial Government Role

Gavel striking block in courtroom setting — Legislation and law. Judge's gavel. Procedure for making laws. Сourt hearing. Judge’s verdict. Symbol law. Constitutional court.

Judge Chutkan denies request to halt Elon Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency, setting the stage for further legal battles.

Key Takeaways

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan refused to immediately block Elon Musk and DOGE from accessing government data or participating in worker layoffs.
The lawsuit, filed by 14 Democratic states, challenges DOGE’s authority and Musk’s involvement without Senate confirmation.
Judge Chutkan found legitimate questions about Musk’s authority but insufficient evidence of grave legal harm to justify a temporary restraining order.
The ruling is part of a series of Democrat-led legal challenges against DOGE’s operations, with mixed results in different courts.
DOGE, with President Trump’s approval, continues to investigate budgets for waste, fraud, and abuse despite ongoing legal controversies.

Judge Chutkan’s Ruling: A Setback for DOGE Critics

In a significant development, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has denied a request to immediately halt Elon Musk’s involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The ruling comes as a blow to critics who sought to restrict DOGE’s access to sensitive government data and its role in potential federal worker layoffs. Judge Chutkan, an Obama appointee, found that while there were legitimate questions about Musk’s authority, there was insufficient evidence of grave legal harm to justify a temporary restraining order.

The lawsuit, spearheaded by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez and supported by 13 other Democratic states, argued that Musk’s appointment to DOGE was unconstitutional as he was not confirmed by the Senate. They contended that this represented an unlawful delegation of executive power. Despite these concerns, Judge Chutkan noted that the plaintiffs did not meet the high legal standard of “imminent harm” required for a temporary restraining order.

Federal Judge to Decide on DOGE's Powers Within 24 Hours
By Chris Mann:

In a landmark case that could redefine the boundaries of executive power within the U.S. government, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan is set to make a crucial ruling within the next 24 hours concerning the…

— Chris & Boudreaux (@FoggyMann) February 18, 2025

DOGE’s Continued Operations Amid Legal Challenges

DOGE, tasked with reorganizing the federal government, streamlining operations, and reducing wasteful spending, continues its work despite the ongoing legal controversies. The Trump administration maintains that layoffs are directed by agency heads and that Musk is not directly managing DOGE’s daily operations. The Justice Department has argued that DOGE staffers are entitled to access government data under the Economy Act, further clarifying that Musk serves as a senior adviser to President Trump rather than a DOGE employee.

Judge Chutkan said, “DOGE’s unpredictable actions have resulted in considerable uncertainty and confusion.”

While Judge Chutkan acknowledged the states’ concerns about Musk’s “unchecked authority” and the lack of Congressional oversight for DOGE, her ruling allows the department to continue its operations for now. This decision is part of a broader pattern of legal challenges against DOGE, with mixed results across different courts.

The Broader Legal Landscape

The ruling by Judge Chutkan is not an isolated incident in the ongoing legal battles surrounding DOGE. Other judges in Washington, including John Bates and Randolph Moss, have also ruled against attempts to restrict DOGE’s access to government data. However, a federal judge in New York has temporarily blocked DOGE’s access to Treasury Department data, highlighting the complex and sometimes contradictory legal landscape surrounding this issue.

The states’ lawsuit aims to bar DOGE from accessing several federal departments, including Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services. This broad scope underscores the far-reaching implications of DOGE’s activities and the concerns raised by its critics. As legal challenges continue, the future of DOGE and Musk’s role in government efficiency efforts remains uncertain, with potential implications for federal workforce management and data access policies.