A federal judge has determined that billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) can continue to access government data systems and engage in worker layoffs, following a legal challenge from 14 Democratic states. Judge Tanya Chutkan, presiding over the U.S. District Court, pointed out that while there are serious questions surrounding Musk's authority, the evidence presented did not warrant a temporary restraining order.

The ongoing lawsuit accuses DOGE of overstepping its bounds by accessing sensitive government data systems, a power the states argue is constitutionally reserved for elected officials or those confirmed by the Senate. According to Le Monde, the Trump administration asserts that decisions regarding layoffs are being made by agency heads and that Musk is not directly operating DOGE's day-to-day activities.

DOGE has been actively engaging with computer systems across various federal agencies, investigating areas for potential waste, fraud, and abuse, a move that has sparked significant public and legal scrutiny. The judge underscored the concerns noted by the states, such as New Mexico and Arizona, regarding DOGE's "unpredictable actions," which have led to confusion about operational authority and lack of Congressional oversight. “DOGE’s unpredictable actions have resulted in considerable uncertainty and confusion,” Judge Chutkan noted, indicating that these issues are valid and may impact future arguments.

Despite these concerns, the judge concluded that the current lack of clarity regarding the implications of DOGE's work on the states is insufficient for an immediate court order. The lawsuit seeks to limit DOGE's operations within several federal departments, including Education, Labor, and Energy, but has not yet resulted in successful legal actions blocking DOGE at this stage. For instance, although other judges in Washington have declined to grant immediate blocks, a ruling in New York has temporarily barred DOGE from accessing Treasury Department data.

Judge Chutkan, nominated by former President Barack Obama, previously handled the dismissed criminal case involving election interference against Trump in Washington, D.C., which adds complexity to the current legal landscape surrounding DOGE's actions.

For more details, visit LA Times and Huffpost.