Federal Judge Blocks Musk's DOGE Access to Treasury Data

A federal judge in New York has issued a preliminary injunction blocking Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing the Treasury Department's payment system, which contains sensitive personal data of millions of Americans. This ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by 19 Democratic attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who argued that access was granted without proper public announcement or privacy assessments. Judge Paul A. Engelmayer emphasized the risk of 'irreparable harm' posed by DOGE’s potential access to this data. He ordered that any materials previously downloaded from the Treasury must be destroyed and limited access to these records moving forward. Critics of DOGE have raised concerns regarding Musk’s increasing influence over government resources, while supporters argue it aims to eliminate wasteful spending. A court hearing is scheduled for February 14 to further address the case.