A US judge has declined to stop Elon Musk from accessing data and firing federal workers.

 

A U.S. judge has rejected a request to temporarily block Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from firing federal employees and accessing agency data, handing a victory to President Donald Trump in his effort to reduce the government workforce.

 

Fourteen Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit challenging Musk's legal authority, but District Judge Tanya Chutkan denied their emergency request for a temporary restraining order.

 

“Plaintiffs have not carried their burden of showing that they will suffer imminent, irreparable harm absent a temporary restraining order,” Chutkan ruled.

 

DOGE, a government agency supervised by Musk, has been cutting government spending aggressively, resulting in the closure of some federal agencies and mass layoffs. The billionaire, who is Trump's largest donor, has played an important role in the administration, spearheading efforts to cut hundreds of billions of dollars in government expenses.

 

The states argued in their lawsuit that Musk and DOGE lacked the statutory authority for their actions, noting that Musk had not been formally nominated by the president or confirmed by the Senate. He was accused of having a 'virtually unchecked power' over government operations, which included spending, contracts, regulations, and even the dismantling of federal agencies. Their concerns revolved around DOGE's access to sensitive government data and technological infrastructure.

 

The lawsuit sought to prevent DOGE from accessing data from key federal departments, including Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, Energy, Transportation, and Commerce, as well as from terminating any of their employees.

 

In her ruling, Chutkan acknowledged the uncertainty caused by DOGE’s actions but said, “the possibility that Defendants may take actions that irreparably harm Plaintiffs is not enough” to justify blocking Musk’s efforts.

 

Musk's cost-cutting measures have led to legal battles throughout the country. A federal judge lifted a temporary freeze on a mass buyout program last week that prompted government workers to leave voluntarily and receive eight months' pay. The buyout, which was initiated by Musk, was meant to decrease the federal workforce. According to the White House, the offer was accepted by more than 75,000 employees.

 

Critics have accused the administration of overreaching after Trump's executive actions have been met with multiple legal challenges. 'Judges in liberal districts' have been accused by the White House of trying to obstruct the president's agenda.

 

Chutkan, who was appointed by former Democratic President Barack Obama, was previously the one in charge of the now-dismissed case against Trump over allegations of election interference in 2020.