A federal judge is set to rule within 24 hours on a legal effort to curb Elon Musk’s authority over a sweeping government reorganization plan. The lawsuit, led by Democratic state attorneys general, challenges Musk’s role in President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force slashing jobs and restructuring federal programs.
During an unusual Presidents Day hearing, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan questioned whether the states had met the legal threshold for emergency intervention, expressing skepticism over their claim of imminent harm. The attorneys general argue that Musk’s team is dismantling critical programs and executing mass firings across multiple agencies, including Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services.
DOGE, a cornerstone of Trump’s government efficiency push, has faced mounting legal challenges, with roughly 20 lawsuits contesting Musk’s authority. While some judges have issued temporary blocks on DOGE’s access to sensitive government systems, others have declined emergency relief.
Chutkan signaled that if the states ultimately prevail, she could order the reinstatement of eliminated programs. For now, the fate of Musk’s unprecedented government shake-up hinges on her imminent decision.
