Elon Musk is calling for the removal of a federal judge who halted his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from investigating Treasury Department spending. The ruling, which Musk labeled as corrupt, has sparked backlash from Republicans who see it as an attempt to shield government waste.
The decision was handed down by U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, an Obama appointee, after a lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other Democrat attorneys general. They argued that DOGE’s access to Treasury records exceeded legal authority. Engelmayer agreed, issuing an emergency order blocking access and ordering the destruction of all Treasury data obtained since President Donald Trump took office.
Musk, who has been leading efforts to expose wasteful spending, took to X to express his outrage. “A corrupt judge protecting corruption. He needs to be impeached NOW!” he wrote. He also called the ruling “absolutely insane,” questioning how government fraud could be uncovered without reviewing where taxpayer money was going.
DOGE had been investigating reports that over $100 billion in entitlement payments were being made annually without Social Security Numbers or valid identification. Treasury officials estimated that at least half—$50 billion per year—was fraudulent. The judge’s ruling now prevents Musk’s team from continuing its audit.
Republican lawmakers have come to Musk’s defense. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) described the ruling as a “judicial coup,” while Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) announced he would introduce legislation restoring DOGE’s oversight of Treasury payments.
Despite the legal setback, Musk remains committed to pushing for greater transparency, insisting that fraud has gone unchecked because “people who receive money don’t complain, but people who don’t receive money (especially fraudsters) complain very loudly.”
