US judge temporarily blocks Musk’s DOGE from accessing treasury records

A federal judge temporarily blocked Elon Musk’s government efficiency team and Trump administration appointees from accessing Treasury Department systems used to process trillions of dollars in payments, citing concerns over cybersecurity and improper disclosure of sensitive information.

US District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan issued the order early Saturday after 19 Democratic-led states sued, arguing that Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had no legal authority to access the systems as it stands as a violation of federal law.

The lawsuit warned that Musk and his team could disrupt federal funding for health clinics, preschools, and climate initiatives, and that President Donald Trump might exploit the data for political purposes.

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The judge found the states’ claims “particularly strong,” noting that the new policy posed risks of data breaches and unauthorised disclosures. His order blocks DOGE’s access and mandates the immediate destruction of any copied or downloaded information.

The payment system processes trillions of dollars annually, handling tax refunds, Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits, and more. It also stores a vast network of Americans’ personal and financial data, making its security and oversight a matter of significant concern.

New York Attorney General Letitia James praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed that “nobody is above the law” and ensured that Musk and his allies would not have “free rein over Americans’ personal information.”

The White House and Treasury Department have yet to comment. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insisted that Musk would not interfere with the department’s payment systems and that any funding decisions would remain with other agencies.

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Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was established to identify and eliminate what the Trump administration considers wasteful government spending. While supporters applaud its efforts to rein in bloated federal finances, critics warn that DOGE’s access to Treasury records and its scrutiny of government agencies give Musk an alarming level of power.

Musk has mocked the criticism on his social media platform, X, while insisting that DOGE is already saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

(With Inputs from Reuters, AP)

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