A U.S. judge has directed Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to provide records and answer questions about their federal spending reduction efforts. The order stems from a lawsuit filed by 14 Democratic state attorneys general, alleging constitutional violations by Musk.
Wednesday night's decision by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, D.C., came in a lawsuit by 14 Democratic state attorneys general against Musk, DOGE and Republican President Donald Trump.
The states argued that Musk violated the Constitution by wielding power that only officials confirmed by the U.S. Senate can exercise under the Appointments Clause, and sought materials from him through a process known as discovery.
Chutkan, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, said her order focused mainly on who at DOGE was making cost-cutting decisions and how far they could go.
"Defendants argue that the 'inner workings of government' are immaterial to an Appointments Clause claim," she wrote. "The court is not convinced, but that is a legal issue appropriate for resolution after fulsome briefing.
"At this stage," she added, "it is sufficient that plaintiffs' discovery requests intend to reveal the scope of DOGE's and Musk's authority."
The U.S. Department of Justice, which represents the defendants, did not immediately respond on Thursday to a request for comment.
Chutkan limited discovery requests to material concerning agencies, employees, contracts, grants, federal funding, legal agreements, databases and data management systems that involve or engage with the 14 states as well as entities they operate or fund.
She rejected the states' request to obtain sworn testimony through depositions, and said her order does not apply to Trump.
Republican and Democratic administrations have long resisted efforts to force top White House advisers to provide court testimony or information they consider privileged.
Musk and DOGE have until April 2 to comply with Chutkan's order.
The lawsuit sought to bar DOGE from accessing information systems at several government departments and firing federal employees or putting them on leave.
Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran,...
A gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting in...
A former top foreign ministry official said on Tuesday he faced “constant pressure” from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office to ...
Lebanon’s prime minister met French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday to discuss strengthening Beirut’s position ahead of possible d...
Türkiye has delivered 360 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Lebanon’s Port of Beirut as ongoing Israeli attacks continue to displace civilia...
Rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are reshaping geopolitical calculations and global shipping, with analysts warning of prolonged disruption even if a ceasefire is reached. Experts say the crisis is driven as much by strategic messaging as by economic risks.
Pope Leo arrived on Tuesday in Equatorial Guinea, led by the world’s longest-serving president, marking the final leg of a four-nation Africa tour during which he has issued sharp denunciations of despotism and inequality.
Representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” have held discussions with Dubai‑based logistics giant DP World over potential roles in managing supply chains and infrastructure projects in Gaza, Reuters reports, citing the Financial Times, which reported on Tuesday.
Iran is considering attending peace talks with the United States in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, following moves by Islamabad to end a U.S. blockade of Iran's ports, a significant obstacle to Tehran rejoining peace efforts as the end of a two-week ceasefire approaches
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran, as JD Vance is reportedly set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks, according to Axios.
The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegally gained millions in an investor fraud scheme.
A gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting in Kyiv on Saturday (18 April) had quarrelled with his neighbour before he opened fire on passersby, public broadcaster Suspilne cited Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as saying on Tuesday.
A gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting in Kyiv on Saturday (18 April) had quarrelled with his neighbour before he opened fire on passersby, public broadcaster Suspilne cited Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as saying on Tuesday.
A former top foreign ministry official said on Tuesday he faced “constant pressure” from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office to accelerate the appointment of Peter Mandelson as its preferred candidate as ambassador to the U.S.
Three young Chinese women mathematicians have drawn global attention after winning major honours at the 2026 Breakthrough Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious science awards.
Nearly 8,000 migrants were reported dead or missing worldwide in 2025, bringing the total since 2014 to more than 82,000, according to new data released on Tuesday by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Pope Leo arrived on Tuesday in Equatorial Guinea, led by the world’s longest-serving president, marking the final leg of a four-nation Africa tour during which he has issued sharp denunciations of despotism and inequality.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment