Following 19 states suing the Trump administration, a federal judge prevents DOGE from accessing Treasury Department records.
U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction preventing Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing confidential Treasury Department records, marking a significant legal development in the United States. This ruling comes after the Trump administration was sued by 19 Democratic state attorneys general.
Background and Legal Action
- Lawsuit Details: The lawsuit was initiated after DOGE, led by Elon Musk, was granted access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system, which handles trillions of dollars annually, including tax refunds and Social Security benefits. The attorneys general argued that this access violated federal law and could disrupt critical payments for healthcare and childcare services.
- States Involved: Nineteen states joined the lawsuit, including New York, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts Minnesota Nevada New Jersey North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont and Wisconsin
The White House has not yet responded to this decision. This case highlights conflicts between proponents of privacy rights and initiatives to cut government spending using non-traditional methods, such as those suggested by Musk’s DOGE initiative.