Judge Allows DOGE Conditional Access to Treasury Data

A federal judge, Jeannette Vargas, has ruled that the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may access sensitive Treasury Department payment systems if DOGE staff complete required training and vetting. This decision relaxes prior restrictions imposed after a lawsuit by 19 Democratic state attorneys general, who expressed concerns about privacy and the legality of DOGE’s data access. The court determined that DOGE had demonstrated adequate protocols and that judicial approval for each new staffer was not needed, provided protocols are followed. Judge Vargas emphasized that all future DOGE staff must undergo the same training and vetting before gaining access. Democratic states indicated they did not oppose the access as long as proper safeguards remain in place. The ruling marks a significant development in the administration’s cost-cutting and modernization efforts amid ongoing debates about data security and executive authority.