Zach Montague

The Department of Government Efficiency described in court filings bears little resemblance to the no-holds-barred approach taken by Elon Musk and praised by President Trump.

A federal judge in Maryland found that Elon Musk’s scrutiny of the agency’s data systems appeared to violate federal privacy laws.

In an opinion on Tuesday, a federal judge found that suspension of programs aimed at training and supporting educators would have “grave effect on the public.”

It appears to be the first time a federal judge has acted to constrain Elon Musk, a top adviser to President Trump. The judge also ordered agency functions be partially restored, though that relief could be temporary.

Fired employees expressed excitement about the prospect of reinstatement, as well as back pay. But there’s no template for rehiring en masse.

A federal judge called the administration’s justification for the firings of workers with probationary status a “sham.”

Mr. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has largely been shrouded in secrecy, but court cases are one way opponents of President Trump’s overhaul efforts have sought clarity.

In an interview with Larry Kudlow, Elon Musk claimed that fraud in Social Security and other major programs was “the big one to eliminate.”

A federal judge in Washington ordered Elon Musk’s team and the Office of Management and Budget to begin releasing internal documents “as soon as practicable.”

The order prohibited the agencies from “unlawfully impounding congressionally appropriated foreign aid funds” owed to contractors and grant recipients. It applied to work completed before Feb. 13.