The suit by 14 AGs contends that President Trump violated the Constitution by creating a new federal department without congressional approval.

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U.S. District Chief Judge John “Jack” McConnell Jr., who was nominated by President Obama in 2010 and has served as chief judge since 2019, issued a temporary restraining order on Jan. 31 blocking the funding freeze,

The decision came in a lawsuit filed by 14 states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, challenging DOGE’s authority to access sensitive government data.

Hundreds gathered on the steps of the Rhode Island State Capitol Saturday afternoon to protest the sweeping actions of the Trump administration and Elon Musk. Four hours into the rally hundreds remained outside the capitol,

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has joined Rhode Island and 11 other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration and Elon Musk.

President Trump said he likes the idea of giving $5,000 back to taxpayers as a "DOGE Dividend" from Elon Musk's department.

On Feb. 22, hundreds of protestors rallied outside the Rhode Island State House against Elon Musk and the Trump administration. The event, called “Fight Back & Give Back: R.I. Protects Our Own from Lawless Billionaires,” was organized by the organization Indivisible Rhode Island, along with several other local activist groups.

U.S. District Chief Judge John “Jack” McConnell Jr., who was nominated by President Obama in 2010 and has served as chief judge since 2019, issued a temporary restraining order on Jan. 31 blocking the funding freeze, which the White House said covered grants and loans.

Some 13 employees at the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Services office in Warwick lost their jobs as part of widespread government cuts.

Though generally well liked in Rhode Island, McConnell's order blocking a freeze on funding and his follow-up order generated blowback from Washington, D.C., where Vice President JD Vance pondered the court's authority on social media.

Hundreds gathered at the State House Saturday afternoon to protest Elon Musk's involvement in the federal government and call on Rhode Island leaders to take a stand against his efforts.