A federal court in Washington, D.C., has denied a request by 14 states to impose restrictions on the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), The Hill reported on Wednesday.
The lawsuit, filed on February 13, 2024, targeted President Donald Trump and DOGE head Elon Musk, alleging that the agency wields unchecked power in violation of the U.S. Constitution. The states argued that Musk was not formally appointed by the president nor confirmed by the Senate, violating Article II of the Constitution.
However, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that while concerns over DOGE’s authority were valid, there was no “clear evidence of imminent, irreparable harm” to justify restrictions at this time.
DOGE, which Trump established by renaming the U.S. Digital Service, claims to have saved taxpayers $55 billion in less than a month. Yet, critics—including New York Attorney General Letitia James—have raised alarms over its unprecedented access to government data.
Musk, appointed to lead the agency, has prioritized cutting costs and restructuring federal departments, fueling ongoing legal and political battles over the scope of his authority.
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