Judge Denies States' Request to Block DOGE Data Access

A federal judge has denied a request from 14 state attorneys general to temporarily block Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing data at seven federal agencies. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that the states did not demonstrate that they would suffer imminent, irreparable harm if the restraining order was not granted. The lawsuit claimed that DOGE's actions violated the U.S. Constitution by not receiving necessary congressional oversight, particularly regarding executive appointments. Chutkan acknowledged concerns about the unchecked authority of DOGE but emphasized that her decision was based on the lack of evidence of immediate harm. The ruling allows DOGE to continue its audits and operations within the affected agencies, despite ongoing legal challenges from the states. This decision marks a significant early setback for the states seeking to limit Musk's influence over federal operations.