A coalition of state attorneys general has filed a lawsuit to block Elon Musk‘s efforts to reduce federal spending as the head of President Donald Trump‘s newly established government efficiency agency. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in a Washington, D.C., federal court, accuses Trump of granting Musk “unchecked legal authority” to carry out his mission without the proper authorization from Congress.
The attorneys general of New Mexico, along with 13 other states, argue that Musk’s appointment as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was illegal. Since Trump’s inauguration last month, Musk, the CEO of Tesla and the world’s richest person, has been tasked with overhauling the government by rooting out wasteful spending.
Musk’s department has been embroiled in several legal challenges related to privacy violations, particularly concerning its access to government computer systems. The new lawsuit alleges that Musk was improperly appointed and seeks a court order to prevent him from taking further government actions.
The lawsuit claims that President Trump, in delegating near-total authority to Musk, has ignored legal checks and balances. “Oblivious to the threat this poses to the nation, President Trump has delegated virtually unchecked authority to Mr. Musk without proper legal authorization from Congress and without meaningful supervision of his activities,” the states argue, calling Musk an “agent of chaos” within the government.
The White House has yet to comment on the allegations.
In related legal matters, two federal judges will convene on Friday to decide whether DOGE should be allowed continued access to sensitive data and Treasury Department systems. These systems handle trillions of dollars in payments and include sensitive information related to U.S. health, consumer protection, and labor agencies. The states involved in the lawsuit argue that Musk’s team lacks the legal authority to access these systems, which could expose millions of Americans’ personal data.
The lawsuit also raises concerns that Musk’s team could disrupt critical federal funding for health clinics, preschools, climate initiatives, and other public services. Additionally, the states suggest that the information could be used by Trump to further his political agenda.
In Washington, U.S. District Judge John Bates will also consider whether to grant a request from unions to block DOGE’s access to sensitive records at the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Trump’s administration has faced significant legal challenges to its initiatives, many of which have been blocked by the courts. Despite these setbacks, Trump and his allies, including Musk, have pushed forward with aggressive government reforms, including mass firings of federal employees and cuts to foreign aid programs, particularly those opposed by conservatives.
As the legal battle continues, it remains unclear whether the courts will ultimately allow Musk’s department to proceed with its sweeping plans for government efficiency.
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