Washington, Feb 18 (AP) A federal judge on Monday questioned the authority of billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency but was sceptical of a request to block DOGE from accessing sensitive data and firing employees at half a dozen federal agencies. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan held a hearing on a request from 14 states for a temporary restraining order seeking to curtail Musk's power in President Donald Trump's quest to downsize the federal government. Chutkan said she would rule within 24 hours.
Also Read | EAM S Jaishankar Calls on Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Says ‘His Talks With PM Narendra Modi Will 'Deepen Our Friendship'. Trump appointed Musk to lead DOGE in a push to slash the federal workforce and reduce or end disfavoured programmes. The administration dismissed probationary employees and Trump in an executive order told agency leaders to plan for "large-scale reductions".
Democratic attorneys general from 14 states had filed a lawsuit challenging what they called Musk's "unchecked power". The states are seeking to block DOGE from firing employees and accessing data at the federal Office of Personnel Management along with six federal agencies that oversee health and human services, education, energy, transportation, labour, and commerce. Also Read | France Sex Scandal: Surgeon Accused of Sexually Abusing 299 Victims Over 25 Years in Country's Largest Child Abuse Case.
During the hourlong hearing held over Zoom, Chutkan.