A flurry of lawsuits has been filed against the Trump administration since the president’s inauguration on January 20, but a new case against Elon Musk may prove to be a significant challenge. The case, which was filed on Thursday, has been assigned to Judge Tanya Chutkan, who has a reputation for being tough on defendants. Chutkan previously presided over the election interference case against Trump and is known for her no-nonsense approach to justice.

The case, known as State of New Mexico v Musk, was brought by 14 states, including Arizona, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, California, Nevada, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. The lawsuit alleges that Musk, with Trump’s approval, has been dismantling federal agencies, accessing sensitive data, and causing chaos and confusion for state and local governments, federal employees, and the American people.

According to the lawsuit, Musk’s actions are unconstitutional, and the states are seeking to stop him from tinkering with government funding, canceling contracts, and firing federal agency employees. The lawsuit also takes aim at Trump’s appointment of Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which the states argue is a fake agency.

The lawsuit states that “there is no greater threat to democracy than the accumulation of state power in the hands of a single, unelected individual.” The states argue that Trump’s actions are a danger to democracy and that Musk’s role in DOGE is a clear example of the Trump administration’s disregard for the rule of law.

Judge Chutkan’s assignment to the case is significant, as she has previously shown a willingness to stand up to the Trump administration. Trump has been critical of Chutkan, calling her “the most evil person” after she ordered the release of a report by special prosecutor Jack Smith.

Trump allies, including far-right bigot Laura Loomer, have also attacked Chutkan, questioning her citizenship and accusing her of being too tough on defendants who attempted a coup against the US on January 6th. However, Chutkan’s reputation as a fair and impartial judge is well-established, and her assignment to the case is a significant blow to the Trump administration.

The lawsuit seeks to stop Musk from issuing any further orders and to declare his actions to date as unconstitutional. The case is not strictly partisan, as two of the 14 states have Republican governors, including Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.

The lawsuit against Musk is part of a growing trend of pushback against the Trump administration’s blatant disregard for the law. The US Department of Justice saw a large number of resignations on Thursday after officials were told to drop a case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, who was charged with corruption. The Trump regime allegedly engaged in a quid pro quo to drop the case against Adams if he helped with immigration enforcement in New York.

Danielle Sassoon, the acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, was one of the DOJ officials who resigned, citing her opposition to the Trump administration’s actions. Sassoon is a Republican and a member of the right-wing Federalist Society, which makes her resignation all the more significant.

Despite the Trump administration’s claims that the lawsuit is partisan, the facts suggest otherwise. The case against Musk is a clear example of the Trump administration’s disregard for the rule of law, and Judge Chutkan’s assignment to the case is a significant step towards accountability.

The lawsuit reads, “Mr. Musk does not occupy an office of the United States and has not had his nomination for an office confirmed by the Senate. His officer-level actions are thus unconstitutional. This Court should restore constitutional order and, consistent with the Appointments Clause, enjoin Mr. Musk from issuing orders to any person in the Executive Branch outside of DOGE and otherwise engaging in the actions of an officer of the United States, and declare that his actions to date are ultra vires and of no legal effect.”

The case against Musk is a significant challenge to the Trump administration’s authority, and Judge Chutkan’s assignment to the case is a clear indication that the law will be upheld. As the case moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the Trump administration responds to the lawsuit and whether they will continue to try to undermine the rule of law.

One thing is certain, however: the case against Musk is a crucial step towards accountability and a reminder that the law applies to everyone, including the President and his allies. The American people deserve to have their rights protected, and the case against Musk is an important step towards ensuring that the Trump administration is held accountable for their actions.