Staff Reports
The ongoing saga involving the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is perfect fodder for those who relish a juicy underdog tale—especially when the underdog happens to be a certain billionaire with a penchant for bold moves and a Twitter account that could be considered a national treasure. New Mexico, leading a parade of thirteen other states, has thrown a legal monkey wrench at the department’s effort to access federal data, claiming that Elon Musk possesses an unconstitutional measure of power. Spoiler alert: it appears they may have bitten off more than they can chew.
In a recent court hearing, Judge Tanya Chutkan waved off the lawsuit like a fly buzzing around a barbecue. While acknowledging the plaintiffs’ grievances, she expressed skepticism about the idea that Musk has swooped in like a superhero, unjustly wielding executive powers without so much as a Senate confirmation. The charges claim that he’s causing chaos akin to tossing a lit match into a fireworks factory, but Chutkan was not buying it. After all, Musk has yet to be nominated or confirmed to anything substantial. Apparently, the law isn’t quite as dramatic as some state officials might wish it to be.
The plaintiffs take issue with the Trump administration, alleging that it has handed Musk a shiny new toy—an “unchecked authority” to run amok with government contracts and employee firings. The legal team argues that this turns the constitutional structure into a carnival funhouse where everything is topsy-turvy. However, such claims seem to rely heavily on media gossip rather than solid evidence. As it turns out, courts are not in the business of acting on reckless headlines but prefer a bit more conviction (good luck with that).
Even the lawless leftist wicked Witch of the East is powerless to stop DOGE!
Source: https://t.co/HMzpIzqNM7 pic.twitter.com/vzNWfaAXZp
— 🇺🇸 Ely Brit! 𝕏 (@realelybritt) February 19, 2025
During the hearing, the Justice Department stepped in to clarify that not a single official has been purple-suited out of a job because of Musk’s wanton whims. Instead, it was noted that any firings happening under DOGE’s umbrella have been conducted by those with the legal authority to do so—not the Iron Man himself. So much for a sudden purge at the federal level; it appears the state’s lawsuit might be aiming at a mirage.
Judge Chutkan did leave a window open for the plaintiffs, hinting that if they bring forth more substantial evidence, she might reconsider imposing restrictions on DOGE. Yet, making this case feel more like an episode of a courtroom drama featuring dramatic implications without much substance raises eyebrows. Seemingly, Musk remains at the helm of DOGE for the time being, perhaps taking delight in the chaos while the opponents twiddle their thumbs and try to catch up. It’s a surprising twist in the plot, one that might echo much louder than the battle cry of those who are trying to pull the rug from underneath a maverick with a track record of innovation.
