In a significant legal blow to Elon Musk and his allies, a federal court has ruled that Musk and his so-called “DOGE minions” must be barred from accessing crucial government databases. The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C., imposes a temporary restraining order that prevents Musk’s team from engaging with sensitive Treasury Department systems.
A Major Setback for Musk’s Influence
This ruling follows allegations that Musk and his associates had gained unauthorized access to sensitive government records, including personal information about federal employees. The case, brought forward by watchdog groups and legal experts, claims that Musk’s team bypassed proper security clearances and operated without the necessary congressional oversight.
The lawsuit specifically accuses Musk and his allies—dubbed the “DOGE minions”—of attempting to manipulate government payment systems and databases for undisclosed purposes. In response, the court swiftly moved to restrict their access.
Legal Experts Applaud the Ruling
Norm Eisen, an attorney and co-founder of the States United Democracy Center, hailed the decision as a “big win” for government accountability. Speaking on BlueSky, Eisen emphasized that this ruling protects democratic institutions from undue influence by powerful individuals operating outside the law.
The lawsuit was backed by a coalition of legal advocacy groups, including Public Citizen and the State Democracy Defender’s Action. Their argument centered on preventing Musk and his associates from accessing financial records without proper authorization.
Key Details of the Court’s Order
According to the restraining order:
- Treasury officials are prohibited from granting Musk or his associates access to key financial databases.
- Musk’s allies, Tom Krause and Marko Elez, will retain limited “read-only” access but cannot make changes or edits to government payment records.
- The order remains in effect until the court rules on the plaintiffs’ forthcoming Preliminary Injunction Motion, which could lead to a more permanent restriction.
What’s Next for Musk?
This ruling is yet another legal challenge for Musk, who has faced increasing scrutiny over his business and political activities. While Musk has not publicly commented on the decision, legal analysts predict that his team will appeal the ruling or attempt to challenge it in court.
As investigations continue, Musk’s access to government systems remains restricted, marking a significant setback in his ongoing efforts to expand influence over public institutions. Whether this legal battle will escalate further remains to be seen, but for now, Musk and his allies have been dealt a major defeat.
