Judge Demands DOGE Release Records in Arizona’s Trump Case

A federal judge has mandated the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to provide documentation related to Arizona’s legal action against the Trump administration. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued the ruling on Wednesday in the case of State of New Mexico v. Elon Musk, presiding over the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes spearheaded the motion for discovery that prompted this significant order. Joined by 13 other Democratic attorneys general, Mayes underscored the necessity of transparency: “The American people deserve transparency and we will get it.”

Importantly, Judge Chutkan exempted President Donald Trump from the discovery requests, focusing instead on information relevant to various agencies. The records sought include documents concerning federal agency operations, employment decisions, contracts, grants, and access to federal databases.

The extensive records requested span multiple areas, including:

• Operational documents related to the reduction of federal agencies and the termination or leave of federal employees;
• Agreements with other federal entities regarding personnel and funding;
• Records detailing the cancellation of federal contracts and the termination of employees;
• Databases accessed by DOGE personnel, including training received and security measures in place.

Judge Chutkan stipulated that all materials must be disclosed within 21 days of the ruling, setting a deadline of April 2, 2025, for compliance.