Additional Coverage:
- Judge grants 19 AGs preliminary injunction against DOGE access to Treasury payment system (foxnews.com)
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing the Treasury Department’s central payment system. Nineteen state attorneys general had requested the injunction.
Judge Jeannette Vargas’s decision extends a previous temporary restraining order. The injunction prevents DOGE from accessing records while the case proceeds.
In her ruling, Judge Vargas cited concerns about the potential exposure of state bank records. She acknowledged the plaintiffs’ concerns but noted their request for relief exceeded the scope of the current legal dispute.
The Trump administration’s legal team now has an opportunity to address the judge’s concerns regarding the protection of sensitive information. A report is due March 24.
The lawsuit alleges DOGE illegally accessed the Treasury’s payment system, which contains Americans’ private information, including Social Security, Medicare, and tax data.
Government lawyers argue the Treasury Department acted lawfully and that the restraining order hinders its ability to function. They maintain only two DOGE team members had “read-only” access to the data.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, a frequent critic of the Trump administration, leads the lawsuit. Attorneys general from 18 other states have joined the suit.
James celebrated the injunction on social media, vowing to continue fighting to protect Americans’ private information. The attorneys general argue that granting DOGE access to the payment system puts sensitive personal information at risk.