Federal judge blocks Musk's DOGE from accessing sensitive US Treasury Department material
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency was created to discover and eliminate what the Trump administration has deemed to be wasteful government spending
People hold placards outside the USAID building after billionaire Elon Musk, who is heading US President Donald Trump's drive to shrink the federal government, said work is underway to shut down the US foreign aid agency USAID in Washington. Reuters File Photo
Advertisement
A federal judge early on Saturday blocked Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Treasury Department records that contain sensitive personal data, such as social security and bank account numbers, of millions of Americans.
US District Judge Paul Engelmayer issued the order after 19 Democratic attorneys general sued President Donald Trump.
Advertisement
The case, filed in federal court in New York City, alleges the Trump administration allowed Musk’s team access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system in violation of federal law.
The payment system handles tax refunds, social security benefits and veterans’ benefits, sending out trillions of dollars every year while containing an expansive network of Americans’ personal and financial data.
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, was created to discover and eliminate what the Trump administration has deemed to be wasteful government spending.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement