New York: U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction blocking Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department records that include sensitive personal data like Social Security numbers and bank account details of millions of Americans.
The injunction came after a lawsuit was filed by 19 Democratic attorneys general against President Donald Trump, alleging that the administration unlawfully allowed Musk’s team access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system. This system oversees vast transactions including tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and veterans’ benefits, managing trillions of dollars annually.
Judge Engelmayer, appointed by President Barack Obama, ruled that anyone who has accessed the sensitive information since January 20 must immediately destroy any copies obtained from Treasury systems. A hearing is scheduled for February 14, although the White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
DOGE, officially tasked with rooting out wasteful government spending, has stirred controversy with its deep dives into federal financial systems. Critics argue that the access granted to Musk’s team could lead to significant privacy breaches and potential misuse of power, while supporters applaud the initiative to curb government expenditure.
On social media, Musk has often dismissed criticisms of DOGE, emphasizing the savings it brings to taxpayers. However, New York Attorney General Letitia James, who spearheaded the lawsuit, expressed concerns over security and the legality of the access:
“This unelected group, led by the world’s richest man, is not authorized to have this information, and they explicitly sought this unauthorized access to illegally block payments that millions of Americans rely on for health care, child care, and other essentials,” James stated in a video message.
The lawsuit claims that DOGE’s access could disrupt funding already legislated by Congress, challenging the Treasury Department’s authority and potentially breaching federal administrative law and the separation of powers doctrine. It also accuses Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of altering long-standing policy to allow such access, disregarding privacy protections.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong described the situation as potentially the “largest data breach in American history,” questioning the intentions and actions of DOGE with the sensitive data.
Amidst these legal battles, the Treasury Department insists that the review is solely for assessing system integrity without making any changes. However, there are allegations that the initial focus was on suspending payments from the U.S. Agency for International Development, which both Trump and Musk aim to dismantle.
Democratic lawmakers are pushing for a Treasury investigation into DOGE’s system access, while labor unions and advocacy groups have filed lawsuits to challenge the legality of these reviews. A judge in Washington recently restricted access for two DOGE employees to “read-only” privileges.
This case continues to unfold, spotlighting the tensions between privacy, governmental oversight, and the influence of private entities in public administration.
Key Points:
Injunction Issued: A federal judge blocked Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Treasury Department records, including Social Security and bank account numbers.
Lawsuit by Democratic AGs: Nineteen Democratic attorneys general sued President Donald Trump, alleging unlawful access by DOGE to the Treasury’s payment system.
Judge’s Ruling: U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer ordered the destruction of any improperly accessed data since January 20. A hearing is set for February 14.
DOGE’s Mission and Controversy: DOGE was created to cut wasteful government spending but has faced backlash over privacy and legality concerns regarding its access to federal financial data.
Criticism and Support: While some see DOGE as a necessary measure to reduce government waste, critics, including Attorney General Letitia James, argue it poses significant security and legal risks.
Legal and Privacy Concerns: The lawsuit claims that DOGE’s access could interfere with congressionally approved funding, breach federal laws, and violate separation of powers.
Treasury Department’s Defense: The department insists the review was for assessing system integrity, but there are concerns about the motives, particularly regarding payments from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Further Legal Actions: Additional lawsuits from labor unions and advocacy groups challenge the legality of DOGE’s reviews, with some access already restricted by a Washington judge.
Ongoing Investigation: There’s a call from Democratic lawmakers for a deeper investigation into DOGE’s access to government systems.
