Federal Judge Allows Musk's DOGE Continued Access to Government Data

A federal judge has ruled that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) can continue accessing data from federal agencies and conducting workforce cuts, despite a lawsuit from 14 Democratic attorneys general challenging its authority. Judge Tanya Chutkan acknowledged the constitutional concerns surrounding Musk's role, questioning the legitimacy of his access to power without proper oversight or confirmation, but deemed that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate immediate harm to justify a temporary restraining order. This ruling comes amid ongoing legal battles against President Trump's executive actions, including those related to DOGE, which has faced 74 lawsuits since early January. Critics argue that Musk's involvement in government operations raises significant constitutional issues, as he is not an elected official. Nevertheless, the judge's decision allows DOGE to proceed with its mandate to identify waste and inefficiencies in government operations. The legal challenges are expected to persist as states continue to scrutinize DOGE's actions and Musk's authoritative role.