A federal judge has declined to issue a temporary restraining order against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly formed agency spearheaded by Elon Musk, handing a procedural victory to President Trump’s administration, Al Jazeera reports.
The lawsuit, brought by 14 state attorneys general, sought to impede DOGE’s efforts to streamline federal agencies.
District Judge Tanya Chutkan acknowledged the states’ concerns regarding the scope of DOGE’s authority, but ultimately ruled that they had not demonstrated the “imminent harm” necessary to warrant a temporary restraining order. The ruling allows DOGE to continue its work, at least for the time being, while the lawsuit proceeds.
President Trump established DOGE following his re-election, with a mandate to reduce government waste, eliminate unnecessary regulations, and restructure federal agencies for improved efficiency. Since taking office, President Trump has emphasized the importance of modernizing government operations and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively.
Musk, serving as a key advisor in the effort, has publicly stated his commitment to identifying and eliminating redundancies within the government.
“Elon is, to me, a patriot,” President Trump said at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. “You could call him an employee. You could call him a consultant. You could call him whatever you want, but he’s a patriot.”
The lawsuit, led by 14 state attorneys general, raised concerns about DOGE’s access to sensitive data and its authority to make personnel decisions within federal agencies. The states argued that DOGE’s actions require Congressional approval.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has described Musk as “a senior adviser to the president.” Musk has been a frequent visitor to the White House, including during recent visits from foreign leaders.
