A federal judge has extended a temporary order preventing Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing payment systems within the Treasury Department. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by 19 state attorneys general who claim that the agency, under the Trump administration, illegally sought access to sensitive information related to Americans’ Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, and tax refunds.
The ruling was made by U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan, who opted not to issue a longer preliminary injunction at this time, thus maintaining the temporary order that was first issued last Saturday. The lawsuit, spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, includes participation from attorneys general across several states, including Arizona, California, and Colorado, among others.
The lawsuit alleges that DOGE was granted unauthorized access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system at the direction of the Trump administration. In response to the concerns raised, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended the agency, asserting that the claims surrounding DOGE’s access are unfounded. He emphasized that the payment system processes a staggering 1.3 billion payments annually and that the integrity of the system remains intact.
The controversy surrounding DOGE centers on its intended role to reduce government waste and increase efficiency across various federal agencies. However, the states involved in the lawsuit argue that allowing such access poses significant risks to personal data security. The Treasury Department has stated that DOGE would only have "read-only" access to the payment systems, which is meant to ensure that sensitive information remains protected.
As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of this case could have far-reaching effects on how government agencies manage data access and privacy. The outcome may also influence public trust in the newly established agency and its operations within the federal government.
The DOGE initiative, aimed at improving government efficiency, has been given access to over a dozen agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Departments of Education and Labor. As the situation develops, the focus will remain on the balance between enhancing governmental efficiency and safeguarding sensitive information.