A federal judge’s ruling to block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from investigating Treasury Department spending has sparked outrage, with Musk calling for the judge’s immediate impeachment. The decision has also triggered support from lawmakers who argue that preventing oversight allows fraud to thrive.
U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued an emergency order on Saturday siding with a lawsuit filed by 19 Democrat-led states. The lawsuit argued that DOGE had been given improper access to Treasury Department records. Engelmayer’s ruling not only blocked DOGE but also required all Treasury data obtained since President Donald Trump took office to be destroyed.
Musk took to X on Sunday, calling the judge “a corrupt judge protecting corruption” and saying “he needs to be impeached NOW!” He added, “This ruling is absolutely insane! How on Earth are we supposed to stop fraud and waste of taxpayer money without looking at how money is spent?”
The ruling comes as Musk’s team revealed that $100 billion in entitlement payments are being made annually without Social Security Numbers or valid ID numbers, with Treasury staff estimating that half of those payments—$50 billion per year—are fraudulent.
The fight over DOGE’s role in government oversight has led to a political battle. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) warned that the ruling “feels like a judicial coup,” while Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) announced he would introduce legislation ensuring DOGE retains access to Treasury data.
The legal battle over DOGE’s ability to investigate federal spending is far from over. A hearing is set for February 20, where Musk’s team will challenge the ruling and push to restore access to government financial records.
