19 states sue to stop DOGE from accessing Americans’ personal data
Associated PressFEB 8
Judge Blocks Musk's DOGE From Treasury Data Access
Above:Â A sign is seen at a press conference held by the Congressional Progressive Caucus on Elon Musk's government interference on Feb. 6, 2025, in Washington, DC. Â Image copyright:Â Kayla Bartkowski/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
US District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction on Saturday blocking Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department records containing sensitive personal data of millions of Americans.
The injunction came after 19 Democratic state attorneys general, led by New York's Letitia James, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging unauthorized access to the Treasury Department's central payment system that handles trillions in federal disbursements annually.
In a four-page order, Engelmayer said the states that sued the Trump administration "will face irreparable harm in the absence of injunctive relief." The conditions are in place until Judge Jeannette A. Vargas hears arguments on the matter on Feb. 14.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
The virtually unfettered access to the federal government's most sensitive information poses massive cybersecurity and privacy risks that could compromise the sensitive financial information of millions of Americans. DOGE lacks proper authorization and threatens to illegally block federal funds for healthcare, childcare, and other critical programs that Americans depend on. Pres. Trump doesn't have the power to give away Americans' private information to an unelected group or to cut federal payments approved by Congress from reaching disfavored beneficiaries.
Republican narrative
The Treasury Department review aims to maximize payment integrity for agencies and the public and eliminate wasteful government spending. The initiative is saving taxpayers millions of dollars while working to rein in bloated government finances. Elon Musk's DOGE had been granted read-only access to improve efficiency. Pres. Trump, committed to safeguarding the integrity and security of the system, will continue his efforts to promote efficiency and effectiveness in Treasury's operations and to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.