Supreme Court Grants DOGE Access to Social Security Data, Blocks FOIA Disclosure

The U.S. Supreme Court issued two major rulings favoring President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), expanding its investigatory powers and access to sensitive personal data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The court blocked lower court orders requiring DOGE to release internal documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), siding with the administration's argument that DOGE, as an executive advisory body, is not subject to FOIA disclosures. Additionally, the court granted a stay that allows DOGE continued access to SSA records while legal challenges proceed, overruling earlier injunctions that had restricted such access. These decisions have sparked significant controversy, with critics and privacy advocates warning that DOGE’s expanded authority threatens transparency and individual privacy without adequate safeguards or demonstrated necessity. The rulings reflect the conservative majority’s support of the Trump administration’s agenda, despite strong dissent from liberal justices who emphasize the risks to Americans’ privacy and public accountability. The legal battles around DOGE also highlight ongoing tensions in Washington over the agency’s role in federal oversight and data access.