A federal judge appointed by Barack Obama has taken aim at Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ordering the agency to disclose the identities of its employees and turn over records detailing its efforts to eliminate government waste. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled in favor of 14 Democrat-led states suing to block DOGE’s operations, claiming the agency’s cost-cutting measures are unconstitutional.

The ruling, which requires DOGE to produce internal documents on agency downsizing, contract cancellations and federal job reductions, also mandates that Musk’s team reveal its personnel. This move has raised concerns that DOGE employees — who have already faced threats and harassment — could become further targets for activists seeking to undermine Musk’s efforts. Critics see this as yet another example of leftist lawfare, where courts are weaponized against Trump’s reform agenda.

DOGE was established to root out corruption, waste and inefficiency in the federal government. Since taking over, Musk has led efforts to slash unnecessary spending and eliminate bloated bureaucracies. However, these actions have drawn fierce opposition from entrenched Deep State forces, including government unions and career bureaucrats who benefit from an overgrown federal system.

Chutkan’s order comes amid a broader legal push against Trump’s administration, with multiple lawsuits challenging his policies aimed at cutting wasteful government programs. In her ruling, Chutkan argued that DOGE’s restructuring could violate constitutional provisions on federal appointments, despite Musk’s role being authorized by President Trump. The lawsuit claims Musk is wielding unconstitutional power in his effort to scale back the federal workforce.

Adding to the controversy, Chutkan’s ruling also coincides with another legal battle concerning the Supreme Court’s decision to force the Trump administration to release nearly $2 billion in taxpayer funds to USAID. This leftist-backed agency has long been used to funnel money into international activist groups and media organizations promoting progressive causes. Trump’s freeze on USAID funding was part of a broader effort to redirect resources to domestic priorities, but the Supreme Court’s ruling has now overridden that effort.

The demand for DOGE to reveal its employees’ identities has sparked backlash, particularly given the rising threats against Musk and his associates. Activists have already targeted Tesla dealerships with vandalism, and Musk himself has been subjected to an intense smear campaign. Requiring DOGE to expose its workforce could endanger those who are simply following through on a government mandate to cut spending.

Musk and DOGE have been given three weeks to comply with Chutkan’s demands, but legal experts suggest the ruling will likely be appealed. The Trump administration has continued to defend DOGE’s actions, arguing that cutting unnecessary federal jobs and contracts is critical to restoring fiscal responsibility.

Despite these legal challenges, Musk has remained committed to his mission, vowing to press forward with efforts to eliminate inefficiency in Washington. Whether the courts will succeed in obstructing these reforms remains to be seen, but the Deep State’s resistance to Trump’s second-term agenda is becoming increasingly aggressive.