A federal judge declined on Tuesday to immediately block Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing government data systems or participating in federal worker layoffs.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that while there were significant legal questions regarding Musk’s role and DOGE’s authority, the states challenging the department had not demonstrated sufficient legal harm to justify an emergency restraining order. The decision is a setback for 14 Democratic-led states that had sought to halt DOGE’s operations, arguing that Musk’s involvement violated constitutional limits on executive power.
The lawsuit, led by attorneys general from states including New Mexico and Arizona, asserts that DOGE is wielding authority that the Constitution reserves for officials either elected by the public or confirmed by the Senate. The Trump administration, however, maintains that agency heads are responsible for determining layoffs and that, despite Musk’s public statements, he is not directly overseeing DOGE’s daily operations.
DOGE, which has been reviewing budgets across multiple federal agencies, has the full backing of President Donald Trump. The department has been accessing government computer systems as part of its mandate to identify what it describes as waste, fraud, and abuse. The effort has led to a series of legal challenges, with opponents arguing that DOGE is overstepping legal boundaries and violating administrative procedures.
In her ruling, Chutkan acknowledged the concerns raised by the states, stating that DOGE’s actions have caused “considerable uncertainty and confusion.” She recognized that questions about Musk’s influence over the department and the lack of congressional oversight could present valid legal arguments in future proceedings. However, she determined that the states had not provided enough evidence of immediate harm to warrant emergency judicial intervention.
“Plaintiffs have not carried their burden of showing that they will suffer imminent, irreparable harm absent a temporary restraining order, and therefore Plaintiffs’ motion is DENIED.”
BREAKING: Judge Tanya Chutkan hands @ElonMusk a huge legal victory by denying states’ motion… pic.twitter.com/GFu078dvc0
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) February 18, 2025
The states’ lawsuit aims to prevent DOGE from accessing data at several key federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management and the Departments of Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, Energy, Transportation, and Commerce.
🚨🇺🇸JUDGE REFUSES TO BLOCK ELON’S GOVERNMENT ROLE
A federal judge rejected a Democrat-led lawsuit trying to stop Elon and the Department of Government Efficiency from accessing federal data or overseeing layoffs.
Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled there is no legal basis to block him… pic.twitter.com/aoOFtN3NH4
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 19, 2025
Chutkan, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, has handled several high-profile cases involving the Trump administration. She previously oversaw the now-dismissed federal election interference case against Trump in Washington, D.C.
The case is one of several legal challenges facing DOGE. Two other federal judges in Washington, D.C., have similarly declined to block the department’s access to government systems. However, in a separate case, a federal judge in New York has issued an order temporarily preventing DOGE from accessing Treasury Department data while legal arguments continue.
Outstanding. I have to say I did not expect this from her.
District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, an OBAMA appointee, rejected an effort by state Democratic attorneys generals to shut down DOGE.pic.twitter.com/yHnMf0cIlk— Sadie (@Sadie_NC) February 17, 2025
The ruling does not resolve the broader constitutional questions raised by the states’ lawsuit but allows DOGE to continue its operations while legal proceedings move forward. Further court decisions are expected as the challenges progress.
