Judge Chutkan denies states’ request to block Musk and DOGE access to records – Washington Examiner
A judge in washington, D.C., Tanya Chutkan, denied a request from 14 states for a temporary restraining order against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk, who was appointed by former President Trump to lead the agency. The states argued that they would suffer imminent harm without the order, which sought to prevent DOGE employees and Musk from making changes to government spending, managing contracts, or accessing sensitive data. While Chutkan acknowledged the concerns regarding uncertainty due to DOGE and Musk’s actions, she ruled that the states did not demonstrate sufficient grounds for the extraordinary relief sought. The ruling represents a minor victory for the Trump administration amidst ongoing legal challenges. The states may proceed with arguments for an injunction against DOGE and Musk in the future. Additionally, another lawsuit lead by New York against Trump and the Treasury Department regarding DOGE’s access to confidential information resulted in a temporary order limiting access.
Judge Chutkan denies states’ request to block Musk and DOGE access to records
A judge in Washington, D.C., declined to grant a restraining order against the Department of Government Efficiency on Tuesday, handing the Trump administration a small victory as it works through numerous lawsuits related to the newly established spending advisory body.
Judge Tanya Chutkan, an Obama appointee, said the 14 states that requested the temporary restraining order against DOGE and White House senior adviser Elon Musk did not prove they would “suffer imminent, irreparable harm” without it.
The wide-ranging request would have included banning DOGE employees and Musk from making any changes to government spending, canceling government contracts, hiring and firing employees, throwing away government property, and altering computer systems.
The Democratic state attorneys general also wanted DOGE employees and Musk to destroy any data they gathered “through unlawful agency access.”
Chutkan was sympathetic to the states, saying DOGE’s and Musk’s “unpredictable actions have resulted in considerable uncertainty and confusion.” However, the judge said the states’ argument that DOGE and Musk breached the appointments clause of the Constitution was based largely on hypotheticals and that a temporary restraining order, an extraordinary form of emergency relief, could not be granted on that basis.
The next step in the lawsuit will be for the 14 states to argue, if they want to proceed, that an injunction is warranted against DOGE and Musk.
The lawsuit has also shed more light on Musk’s role within DOGE, which Trump appointed Musk to lead. Musk is a special government employee who is working for the White House, not for DOGE, the director of the Office of Administration confirmed Monday in court papers. Musk is a senior adviser to Trump who has “no actual or formal authority to make government decisions,” the director said.
Chutkan’s ruling marked a small win for President Donald Trump from a judge who gained notoriety over the last two years for frequently ruling against the president while presiding over his criminal election subversion case.
Eighteen states, led by New York, also brought a lawsuit against Trump and the Department of Treasury that centered on DOGE employees’ access to confidential information contained within the department.
Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, also an Obama appointee, granted a temporary order in that case, blocking anyone except a limited group of people working within the Treasury Department from accessing any confidential information that the department maintains.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...