US appeals court halts order forcing DOGE to turn over documents

A US federal appeals court on Wednesday halted an order that would have forced Elon Musk’s government cost-cutting initiative to turn over records and answer questions under oath about its efforts to slash bureaucracy under President Donald Trump.

The ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is a temporary reprieve for Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, which faces judicial scrutiny over its alleged lack of transparency.

The lawsuit in Washington, DC was filed by 14 Democratic state attorneys general, who alleged that Musk violated the Constitution by wielding power that only officials confirmed by the US Senate can exercise under the Appointments Clause.

US District Judge, Tanya Chutkan previously denied the states’ bid for a temporary restraining order restraining Musk from taking further actions to cut spending while the case plays out, though she partially granted the states’ request for expedited discovery.

The appeals court ruling on Wednesday said the Trump’s administration is likely to prevail in its argument that Chutkan should have decided whether to dismiss the case before clearing the way for discovery, or the process where defendants must hand over documents and answer questions.

It was gathered that Musk and DOGE have been a driving force behind the Trump administration’s decision to fire tens of thousands of federal workers, though judges have held up those moves as they consider lawsuits.