Federal Judge Blocks Musk’s Agency from Accessing Sensitive Treasury Data Amid Legal Battle
A federal judge has stepped in to block Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Treasury Department records, including personal data like Social Security and bank account numbers for millions of Americans. This ruling follows a lawsuit filed by 19 Democratic attorneys general, who accuse the Trump administration of allowing DOGE unauthorized access to the Treasury's central payment system, which manages tax refunds, Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits, and other critical financial data.
U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction on Saturday, halting DOGE's access to these records. He also ordered anyone who accessed sensitive information after January 20 to immediately destroy any copies of the material downloaded. A hearing on the case is scheduled for February 14.
Musk’s DOGE, created to identify and eliminate wasteful government spending, has sparked debate. Critics argue that it raises security concerns and could jeopardize payments relied on by millions of Americans for healthcare, child care, and other essential services. Supporters, however, praise DOGE for potentially saving taxpayers millions by addressing inefficiencies.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led the lawsuit, emphasized that DOGE's access to Treasury data was unauthorized and could lead to illegal freezes of federal funds. She criticized the Trump administration for granting Musk's team this access, questioning the legality and privacy implications of sharing personal information without clear oversight. James also argued that this action violated the separation of powers, as it involved bypassing established government processes.
The lawsuit, supported by additional states including California, Connecticut, and Illinois, claims that DOGE's access to the Treasury Department records oversteps legal boundaries and could interfere with federal funding already approved by Congress. It also accuses Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of altering the department's longstanding policy on protecting sensitive data, allowing Musk’s team to review confidential payment systems.
Critics have raised alarms about the scope of this data review, with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong describing it as the "largest data breach in American history." Labor unions and advocacy groups are also pushing for further legal action, citing concerns over the legality of DOGE’s review process.
While the Treasury Department claims the review is aimed at ensuring system integrity, there are reports suggesting that Musk's team initially focused on ways to suspend payments made by the U.S. Agency for International Development, a target of both Musk and Trump. As this legal battle unfolds, further scrutiny of DOGE's access to sensitive government data is expected.
