Judge Expected to Rule in 24 Hours in Case That Aims to Sharply Curtail Musk's DOGE

A U.S. judge said on Monday she hoped to rule within 24 hours in a lawsuit that aims to protect information systems at major government agencies from Elon Musk's DOGE team, which President Donald Trump has tasked with overhauling the government.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, D.C., heard arguments on Monday, the Presidents Day holiday when federal courts are closed, to consider an emergency request by 13 Democratic state attorneys general seeking to block Musk and DOGE from accessing government systems and firing employees at seven agencies.

The states argued their ability to carry out educational and other programs were at risk. They accused Musk's team of using data gleaned from agency systems to dismantle initiatives and direct mass firings.

"The things I’m hearing are troubling indeed, but I have to have a record and findings of fact before I issue something," Chutkan said. She expressed doubt that the states had met the legal standard for imminent harm required for a temporary restraining order, or TRO.

"It’s kind of a like a prophylactic TRO and that’s not allowed," she said of the states' request. She said if the states eventually prevailed, she could order programs to be restored.