The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken steps to temporarily restrict the Elon Musk-headed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Treasury Department payment systems.

This decision follows a lawsuit filed by three federal employees’ unions, who argue that DOGE’s access to these financial databases is illegal and represents a dangerous overreach by unelected officials.

The legal challenge against DOGE comes as congressional Democrats intensify their opposition, raising alarms over the lack of oversight and accountability regarding Musk’s role in scrutinizing federal expenditures. However, Musk has dismissed these concerns, claiming that the resistance to DOGE’s access to financial data suggests that lawmakers have something to hide, which will all be exposed if his team is allowed to inspect the government’s spending records.

Under the proposed DOJ order, only two DOGE representatives, Tom Krause, and Marko Elez, will retain access to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, the agency responsible for managing U.S. government accounting, payment systems, and public debt. Even then, their access will be read-only, meaning they will be able to review financial records but not modify them in any way.

The order specifies that no additional DOGE officials will be granted access to Treasury’s payment systems, and DOGE’s existing access to Treasury payment records will be revoked if further legal challenges succeed. The DOJ will continue reviewing the legality of DOGE’s role and access privileges. The order awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C., before it is formally enacted.

DOGE Under Fire

Established under the Trump administration, DOGE was created as an anti-bureaucracy initiative aimed at reducing government waste and cutting excessive spending. Its mandate includes identifying inefficiencies across federal agencies, auditing expenditures, and proposing cost-saving measures.

However, from its inception, DOGE has faced significant opposition from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that it allows unelected officials too much influence over federal operations. Many see DOGE as a politicized tool meant to undermine certain government programs, particularly those associated with Democratic policies.

The biggest point of contention has been DOGE’s attempt to gain access to financial databases controlled by the Treasury Department. Critics argue that DOGE does not answer to Congress, meaning its investigations into government spending could be weaponized for political purposes. There are also concerns that allowing DOGE representatives to sift through Treasury’s financial data could expose sensitive economic and national security information.

No previous administration has granted an independent department such broad access to federal financial records, making DOGE’s role highly controversial.

Democrats and Musk Wage A Political Battle Over Government Spending

Democrats have strongly opposed DOGE’s reach, with congressional leaders warning that granting Musk’s department access to financial records undermines democratic accountability. House and Senate Democrats have sent multiple letters to the Trump administration demanding an immediate halt to DOGE’s access to government financial systems, a full review of its legal authority, and an explanation of security measures in place to protect sensitive financial data.

“Elon Musk, the richest man on earth, is dismantling USAID, which feeds the poorest children on earth. This is oligarchy at its worst,” Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders, said. “Musk’s actions are not only immoral and unconstitutional, they are counterproductive to our standing in the world.”

Musk, however, has hit back against Democratic resistance, framing it as an attempt to shield corruption. In multiple statements, he has claimed that opposition to DOGE’s access proves lawmakers are hiding something and that if DOGE is given full access, billions of dollars in wasteful spending will be exposed.

He argues that Democrats fear transparency because it will reveal financial mismanagement. Musk has also suggested that the pushback against DOGE is a sign that government spending is rife with fraud and inefficiencies, which only his department can uncover.

Legal Moves to Stop DOGE

Beyond the DOJ’s move to restrict DOGE’s access, there are multiple legal efforts underway to completely shut down the department.

The lawsuit filed this week by federal employees’ unions seeks to permanently block DOGE’s access to Treasury data, arguing that it is not an official federal agency and therefore has no legal right to review government financial records. A separate lawsuit from labor groups has also been filed to prevent DOGE from accessing employment and macroeconomic data collected by the Labor Department, citing fears that Musk could use the information to push politically motivated policy changes.

Some Democratic lawmakers are reportedly exploring legislation to defund DOGE, effectively ending its ability to operate.

If Judge Kollar-Kotelly approves the DOJ’s order, it will be a major setback for Musk’s efforts to expand DOGE’s influence. However, if the legal challenges against DOGE succeed, the department’s authority could be completely dismantled.

For now, Musk remains defiant, arguing that DOGE’s work is essential to exposing waste, fraud, and inefficiency in government spending. Whether he will be allowed to continue his financial investigations remains a question for the courts—and possibly Congress—to decide.

The last few years have been turbulent for Intel, a company that once reigned supreme in the semiconductor industry. Once the undisputed leader in microprocessors, Intel has faced a series of setbacks, losing ground to competitors like AMD, Nvidia, and TSMC. The situation has been so dire that even Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who has long had a close relationship with the chip giant, recently remarked that Intel has “lost its way.”

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Gates reflected on Intel’s historic role in shaping the personal computing industry. He acknowledged that the company’s groundbreaking work, beginning with the introduction of the Intel 4004 in 1971, was instrumental in the rise of Microsoft and the broader PC revolution. However, he noted with disappointment how the once-dominant chipmaker has struggled to keep up with its rivals.

For decades, Intel maintained its leadership by consistently pushing the boundaries of chip design and fabrication. But in recent years, the company has faltered, failing to transition smoothly from one node to the next. The prolonged delays in moving from the 14nm process to 10nm, and later the setbacks with its 7nm node, severely impacted its competitiveness. Meanwhile, its rivals surged ahead.

Intel’s struggles extend beyond manufacturing delays. The company has consistently lost market share to AMD, which has produced increasingly competitive processors. Apple’s decision to abandon Intel in favor of its own in-house silicon was another significant blow. Furthermore, Intel has grappled with security vulnerabilities, issues with its Raptor Lake processors, and the growing dominance of TSMC and Nvidia in key areas like AI chips and GPU acceleration.

Financial Woes and Leadership Changes

Intel’s misfortunes have also translated into financial struggles. Revenue declines and investor concerns led to the ousting of CEO Pat Gelsinger last year. Gates, however, had words of praise for Gelsinger, calling him “brave” for attempting to fix both the design and fabrication sides of Intel’s business. He expressed hope that Gelsinger could turn things around but admitted that Intel’s recovery looks increasingly difficult.

“I am stunned that Intel basically lost its way,” Gates remarked. “Gordon Moore always kept Intel at the state of the art. And now they are kind of behind in terms of chip design and they are kind of behind in chip fabrication.”

Intel’s competitors—TSMC, Nvidia, and Qualcomm—are now far ahead in different aspects of chip design and production. The company has also been slow to capitalize on the AI boom, missing out on key opportunities while others took the lead. Gates emphasized this, pointing out that Intel had largely failed to position itself as a dominant force in AI computing, an area that is increasingly driving the future of the tech industry.

Nowhere is Intel’s decline more evident than in the consumer CPU market, where AMD has made remarkable gains. AMD’s Ryzen processors have repeatedly outperformed Intel’s offerings in price-to-performance ratios, leading to increased adoption among consumers. The Amazon.com processor sales chart is heavily dominated by AMD, and the company continues to gain traction in international markets.

Intel’s only consolation might be that a majority of Steam survey participants (63%) still use its CPUs, but even that could change if AMD continues its aggressive push.

Could Intel Be Acquired?

With Intel struggling, speculation has grown about a potential acquisition. Broadcom and Qualcomm were rumored to be a possible buyer at one point, but funding Intel’s vast chip fabrication operations would require tens of billions of dollars. Rebuilding Intel’s competitive edge in the industry is a long-term endeavor, making any potential buyout a risky and expensive proposition.

The U.S. government has invested heavily in Intel, particularly in an effort to reduce American dependence on foreign semiconductor manufacturing. Shutting down Intel’s fabs is not an option, meaning the company will have to find a way to recover. However, with formidable rivals continuing to innovate and expand their dominance, Intel’s path to resurgence remains uncertain.

Gates’ comments reflect the growing consensus that Intel is in a precarious position. While it still retains influence and technical expertise, the industry is rapidly evolving, and the company has been slow to adapt. With AI, mobile computing, and advanced chip design driving the next wave of technological growth, Intel faces the challenge of regaining its lost momentum before it falls further behind.

Gates concluded his remarks by saying, “I hope Intel recovers, but it looks pretty tough for them at this stage.”