New York City, New York – A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive personal data in Treasury Department records, following a lawsuit filed by 19 Democratic attorneys general against President Donald Trump. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York City, alleges that Musk’s team was granted access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in tax refunds, benefits, and personal financial data for Americans.
The judge, appointed by President Barack Obama, ruled that anyone who had unauthorized access to the information since Jan. 20 must destroy all copies of the material immediately and set a hearing for Feb. 14. The lawsuit raises concerns over security issues and the possibility of freezing federal funds without authorization.
DOGE, created by Musk to target wasteful government spending, has come under scrutiny for its access to Treasury records and its oversight of various government agencies. Critics fear the increasing power Musk wields, while supporters see it as a means to curb government overspending. Musk has dismissed criticism on social media, asserting that DOGE is saving taxpayers money.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading the lawsuit, emphasized that unauthorized access to Treasury data is a security risk and could result in an illegal freeze of crucial payments. James argued that the President cannot provide private information to unauthorized entities or interfere with Congress-approved federal funding. The lawsuit also involves 18 other states, alleging that DOGE’s access exceeds the Treasury Department’s authority and violates federal law and constitutional principles.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong expressed concerns over the use of Treasury information by DOGE, calling it a potential threat to data security. The Treasury Department maintains that DOGE’s review is aimed at system integrity and not initiating changes, while Democratic lawmakers seek further investigation into the matter.
Amid the legal battle, labor unions and advocacy groups have taken action to challenge the review of the government’s payment system over legality concerns. In a separate development, a judge in Washington temporarily restricted access to two employees with limited privileges. The growing controversy surrounding Musk’s department’s actions highlights the ongoing debate over government transparency and privacy rights.