Judge Rejects States' Bid to Block Musk's Federal Job Cuts, Access to Data

A U.S. District Court judge denied a request from 14 Democratic-led states to block Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing federal data and terminating employees, marking a setback for those opposing Musk’s aggressive government restructuring under President Trump. Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that the states failed to demonstrate imminent or irreparable harm, despite raising concerns about Musk's unchecked authority and the constitutional implications of his role. The lawsuit argued that DOGE, which Musk leads, lacked formal congressional approval and oversight, enabling him to make significant decisions regarding federal contracts, expenditures, and agency operations. Critics assert that Musk's actions have caused considerable uncertainty and confusion within federal agencies. The legal battle continues as various lawsuits challenge DOGE's authority, with some courts granting limited restrictions while others allow its operations to proceed. The ongoing changes have already led to significant job losses across multiple government departments.