A federal judge’s decision to cut off the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from Treasury Department records has drawn fierce criticism from Elon Musk, who is calling for the judge’s immediate removal. The ruling comes as Musk and President Donald Trump work to expose what they describe as massive fraud in federal entitlement programs.
Judge Paul Engelmayer, appointed by Barack Obama, ruled in favor of a lawsuit brought by 19 Democrat attorneys general, who argued that DOGE had been given improper access to government financial records. His ruling not only barred Musk’s team from further investigations but also ordered the destruction of all Treasury data obtained since Trump took office.
Musk took to X on Sunday, calling Engelmayer “a corrupt judge protecting corruption” and stating, “he needs to be impeached NOW!” He further criticized the ruling as “absolutely insane,” questioning how anyone could expect fraud to be stopped without reviewing how taxpayer money is being spent.
The battle over DOGE’s role in government transparency has intensified after Musk revealed that $100 billion in payments were being made annually without proper identification, with Treasury staff estimating at least half of that—$50 billion per year—to be fraudulent. Musk’s team was working to trace these payments when the judge’s ruling halted their investigation.
The decision has led to growing concerns among Republicans. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) warned that the ruling “has the feel of a judicial coup,” while Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) announced plans for legislation ensuring that DOGE maintains oversight of government spending.
With a legal fight ahead, DOGE’s ability to continue its work remains uncertain. A court hearing set for February 20 will determine whether Musk’s team can resume its investigation or if Engelmayer’s ruling will stand.
