A federal judge signaled doubt over efforts to block President Donald Trump’s administration from accessing federal data and removing federal employees, as arguments were heard in court on Monday.
Judge Tanya Chutkan has not yet issued a ruling but said she will decide within 24 hours on the case, which involves Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and their cost-cutting measures across federal agencies.
The case centers on DOGE’s actions in seven federal agencies, including:
A coalition of 14 state attorneys general argues that Musk and the Trump administration have overstepped executive authority, calling DOGE’s influence unconstitutional overreach.
Yet, Judge Chutkan expressed hesitation about their argument, saying:
"The things that I’m hearing are serious and troubling indeed… But you’re saying these are things that we’re hearing. I’m not seeing it so far."
She also noted that the states have yet to demonstrate “imminent harm” that would justify blocking DOGE’s efforts.
The lawsuit, led by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, is backed by officials from Arizona, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, California, Nevada, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii.
The coalition is requesting a temporary restraining order to halt further federal employee terminations based on recommendations from Musk and DOGE.
The lawsuit argues:
"There is no greater threat to democracy than the accumulation of state power in the hands of a single, unelected individual."
The court’s decision on DOGE’s authority is expected to set a major precedent for the Trump administration’s federal workforce policies.
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