A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction that for now bars Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, from accessing sensitive Treasury Department documents, including bank account information and personal details, such as Social Security numbers, of millions of Americans. The Associated Press reports this access could lead to identity theft, fraud, and other forms of misuse.
U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued the order to block DOGE’s access while waiting for a final ruling on the matter. This decision gives reason to the importance of legal intervention in such sensitive issues, which may be misused by unauthorized access.
The payment system of the Treasury Department is very important: it handles everything from tax refunds and Social Security payments to benefits paid to veterans. It processes trillions of dollars every year and maintains massive financial and personal data on US citizens.
The lawsuit, filed by 19 Democratic attorneys general against the Trump administration in federal court in New York City, argues that the administration broke federal law when giving Musk’s team access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system. It has been backed by attorneys general in states from Arizona to New Jersey, through to California and Colorado.
Judge Engelmayer also ordered anyone who has downloaded sensitive personal information—such as Social Security numbers or tax details—without authorization since January 20 to delete that information in order to prevent potential misuse. The next hearing is scheduled for February 14.
It was established to locate and cut out wasteful government spending with the aim of making programs more efficient and ensuring that taxpayer money is put to good use. But the critics are concerned that with Musk’s influence in the group, DOGE may be a risk as it would get access to Treasury records and could freeze federal funds illegally.
