Federal Judge Blocks DOGE's Access to Millions of Personal Records

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing personal data from the Department of Education, the Treasury Department, and the Office of Personnel Management. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman found that the Trump administration likely violated federal privacy laws by granting DOGE access to sensitive information without proper justification, amidst a lawsuit led by unions representing approximately two million federal employees and students. This ruling expands on a prior temporary restraining order and highlights concerns over the administration's approach to data access, which Boardman described as a 'shoot first, ask questions later' method. The court emphasized that federal agencies must execute their mandates in accordance with the law, a point underscored by the Privacy Act's intent to protect citizens' personal information. The case reflects ongoing legal challenges against the DOGE initiative, which aims to modernize government operations but has faced scrutiny for its data access practices. As the legal battle continues, the ruling serves as a significant setback for DOGE's efforts to access federal data.