A federal judge has denied a motion filed by a government-funded agency seeking a temporary restraining order against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), intensifying the legal battle over the department’s ongoing investigation into alleged financial mismanagement.
The agency, which operates on taxpayer funding, attempted to halt DOGE’s efforts by claiming the department was overstepping its authority and causing irreparable harm to its operations. The agency also argued that DOGE’s aggressive audits and demands for documentation disrupted daily activities and jeopardized pending programs.
However, the court determined that the agency’s claims lacked merit and failed to meet the legal standard necessary for an injunction. The judge ruled that DOGE has the lawful authority to continue its review, especially given the serious allegations involving potential misuse of federal grants and excessive administrative expenses uncovered during preliminary findings.
DOGE officials have maintained that the investigation is part of a broader initiative aimed at holding federally funded organizations accountable and ensuring that public funds are properly allocated. The department has expressed concerns over repeated refusals by the agency to provide requested financial records.
The ruling marks a significant setback for the agency as DOGE is now expected to proceed with a full audit and possible enforcement actions. Federal officials emphasized that the priority remains protecting taxpayers and preventing wasteful spending within agencies reliant on government funding.