A federal judge rejected an emergency request from Democrat-led states Tuesday to hamper cost-cutting efforts by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Washington, DC, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan denied the petition by 14 Democratic states to issue a temporary restraining order against Musk and DOGE.
“Plaintiffs legitimately call into question what appears to be the unchecked authority of an unelected individual and an entity that was not created by Congress and over which it has no oversight,” Chutkan wrote.
“In these circumstances, it must be indisputable that this court acts within the bounds of its authority. Accordingly, it cannot issue a TRO, especially one as wide-ranging as Plaintiffs request, without clear evidence of imminent, irreparable harm to these Plaintiffs.”
Chutkan said that the plaintiffs, led by New Mexico, had not met the “high standard for irreparable injury.”
She noted that much of the claims from the blue states relied on media reports about what “financial” or “programmatic” harm “may” be suffered should DOGE continue putting agencies like USAID through a “woodchipper,” as Musk once said in reference to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Other DOGE acts cited by the states include cancelling federal contracts, firing employees or even “accessing sensitive and confidential agency data” — though the White House has since pushed back that these actions were not taken by Musk or his team but, rather, agency staff.
“The court is aware that DOGE’s unpredictable actions have resulted in considerable uncertainty and confusion for Plaintiffs and many of their agencies and residents,” she added.
“When litigants have identified specific individuals or programs imminently targeted by Defendants, courts have issued appropriately tailored [temporary restraining orders].”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
