A U.S. judge has delivered a temporary victory to President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk by denying a request for a restraining order aimed at slowing their push to reduce the federal workforce.
District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled on Tuesday against 14 states that had filed a lawsuit challenging the authority of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to dismiss federal employees or access classified information.
While Chutkan acknowledged concerns over the legality of DOGE’s actions, she determined the states had not provided sufficient evidence of imminent harm to justify immediate intervention.
The judge expressed reservations about the unchecked power wielded by Musk, noting that DOGE “was not established by Congress” and operates with minimal oversight. She also pointed out that its actions have created widespread uncertainty within federal agencies.
This ruling marks a rare legal win for the Trump administration, which has faced multiple judicial setbacks in its efforts to reshape federal institutions. Since taking office, Trump and his allies have aggressively sought to overhaul government agencies, citing the need to eliminate inefficiencies and curb alleged misuse of funds.
The lawsuit, led by 14 state attorneys general, aimed to prevent DOGE from receiving sensitive data from departments handling labor, education, health, energy, transportation, and commerce.
It also sought to block DOGE from terminating or placing federal employees on leave. The states argued that Musk and DOGE are assuming powers that should be subject to congressional approval.
Trump established DOGE shortly after his re-election, with the stated goal of streamlining bureaucracy, reducing regulations, and cutting government expenditures. Upon assuming office on January 20, he signed an executive order replacing the U.S. Digital Service with DOGE and integrating it into the executive branch. A subsequent order made DOGE authorization mandatory for hiring decisions at federal agencies.
Musk, who has frequently appeared at the White House, remains an ambiguous figure in the administration. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described him as a senior adviser, while Trump called him a “patriot” with an undefined role.
The legal uncertainty surrounding DOGE has led to multiple lawsuits and counterclaims. Musk has openly criticized government agencies, referring to USAID as a “nest of radical-left Marxists” and disparaging judges who have ruled against him. After a court ordered the restoration of data removed from government websites, Musk labeled the judge “evil” and called for his removal.
As the legal battles continue, the controversy over DOGE’s role in reshaping the federal workforce remains far from resolved.
Source: Al Jazeera
BDST: 1051 HRS, FEB 19, 2025
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