Federal Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Elon Musk and Government Efficiency Department to Proceed
In a recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has permitted 14 states to continue their lawsuit against billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accusing them of illegal access to government data, contract cancellations, and wrongful firings of federal employees. The lawsuit, initiated in February, claims constitutional violations under Musk’s direction.
The states sought a temporary injunction to prevent DOGE from accessing data systems and terminating employees, but Judge Chutkan denied this request, expressing concerns about Musk’s authority without sufficient grounds for a restraining order. While she dismissed former President Donald Trump from the lawsuit, the claims against Musk and DOGE remain.
Musk’s actions are described as unconstitutional by the plaintiffs’ attorneys, who argue that he has not been properly appointed to his role. Chutkan emphasized the importance of the Constitution’s appointments clause, indicating that the Executive cannot bypass it by unilaterally creating an agency and insulating its leader. The Trump administration has contended that agency heads are responsible for layoffs, asserting Musk’s lack of control over daily operations at DOGE.
Chutkan, a nominee of President Obama, previously handled high-profile cases, including the now-disposed election interference case against Trump.
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