Obama-appointed judge allows DOGE-related challenge to continue, but drops Trump
An Obama-appointed federal judge has made a significant ruling in a legal challenge related to DOGE, largely rejecting the Trump administration’s request for dismissal. The judge, Tanya S. Chutkan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, dismissed President Donald Trump as a defendant in the case but allowed the rest of the legal proceedings to move forward.
The court’s memorandum opinion notes that the President cannot be enjoined in the performance of his official duties, leading to the decision to dismiss Trump as a defendant. However, the order declared that the motion to dismiss Count I against all other defendants and Count II was denied.
The Justice Department spokesperson stated that the Department vigorously defends President Trump’s ability to carry out his official duties and will continue to do so in federal court challenges.
The legal challenge stems from Elon Musk’s involvement in Trump’s DOGE cost-cutting initiative, which faced opposition from more than a dozen states earlier this year. The complaint filed in February called for Musk to be enjoined from issuing orders to anyone in the Executive Branch outside of DOGE and to declare his actions ultra vires and of no legal effect.
Despite his initial focus on the initiative, Musk announced plans to reduce his involvement and return to focusing on his various business endeavors. In a recent tweet, he expressed frustration with the federal bureaucracy in D.C. and the challenges of trying to bring about improvements.
The ruling by Judge Chutkan sets the stage for further legal proceedings in the DOGE-related challenge, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration, Elon Musk, and various states. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact the future of the DOGE initiative and the broader political landscape.
