President Donald Trump is strongly criticizing a federal judge's decision that restricts the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing the Treasury Department's systems.
During an exclusive interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, Trump called the ruling "crazy" and voiced his disagreement.
The ruling came after a lawsuit filed by 19 state attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
According to Fox News, the group raised concerns that allowing Elon Musk's DOGE team to access sensitive Treasury systems could result in "irreparable harm."
US District Judge Paul Engelmayer, an Obama appointee, issued a temporary restraining order, blocking DOGE's access to the payment and data systems until at least February 14.
Trump, who has supported Musk's efforts to improve government efficiency, dismissed the judge's ruling, saying it would not slow down his mission.
He emphasized the need to solve problems within government spending, calling out fraud and waste in agencies like USAID. "We have to solve the efficiency problem," Trump added.
Musk Calls for Judge's Impeachment Over Ruling on Treasury Department Access
Musk and other conservatives, including Vice President JD Vance, have also criticized the ruling, with Musk calling for the judge's impeachment, DailyBeast said.
Musk argued that judges should not have the power to control executive actions like those of the Treasury Department.
The legal battle comes as Musk's team was granted "read-only" access to Treasury Department systems, but reports later surfaced suggesting that some DOGE staffers had more access, including the ability to alter code.
This raised concerns over the security of sensitive government information. Trump and Musk have both denied any wrongdoing, with Musk continuing to defend his efforts to uncover wasteful government spending.
Engelmayer's temporary order remains in effect while the case moves through the courts. The judge will decide on February 14 whether to extend the injunction. Trump, who plans to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans, is expected to return to the White House later that evening.
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