A federal judge has rejected a “final” attempt to block Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing government data during cost-cutting audits. Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that while DOGE’s actions caused “considerable uncertainty and confusion,” the states failed to prove “irreparable injury.”
DOGE, led by Musk, aims to slash the federal workforce and reduce “unnecessary” tax spending, targeting contracts, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and USAID funding. The advisory group is working to lower the $36 trillion national debt.
Several Democratic states sought a restraining order, accusing DOGE of “accessing sensitive and confidential agency data” and firing government employees. They argued Musk’s unchecked power was “destabilizing our government and disrupting critical funding.”
Chutkan disagreed, stating the “possibility” of harm wasn’t enough to justify a block. She emphasized that courts have only intervened when “specific individuals or programs” faced immediate threats.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez vowed to continue legal action against what he called Musk’s “unlawful power grab,” saying, “we are prepared to pursue this case for as long as it takes to bring this chaos to an end.”
States must submit a briefing schedule by February 19 if seeking a preliminary injunction.
