Another setback for President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. Early Saturday, a federal judge blocked efforts by Musk’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) to plunder sensitive US Treasury Department data. It includes millions of Americans’ financial and personal information and a system that sends out trillions of dollars in payments for things like tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and veterans’ benefits.
U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued the preliminary injunction after 19 Democratic attorneys general sued President Trump and his administration for breaking federal law by allowing Musk and his team access to the Treasury records. California Attorney General Bonta joined the coalition of attorneys general in filing that lawsuit.
CA Attorney General Bonta attacks DOGE
“Our country cannot afford to have people in the driver’s seat who move fast and break things, especially when the things they’re breaking are critical and sensitive systems that millions of Americans rely on. We are pleased the court swiftly granted our request to block unauthorized personnel, including DOGE associates, from accessing millions of Americans’ private and sensitive data,” said Attorney General Bonta in a press release. “The President does not hold the power to give Americans’ bank account and social security numbers to anyone he’d like — and as of Friday night, he must stop doing so.”
As part of the judge’s temporary order, anyone working with Musk who raided the US Treasury last month must destroy all materials downloaded from its systems. The Judge set February 14 for a hearing on the matter. Meanwhile, the White House is defending the actions of DOGE at the US Treasury.
“Grandstanding government efficiency speaks volumes about those who’d rather delay much-needed change with legal shenanigans than work with the Trump Administration of ridding the government of waste, fraud, and abuse,” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields reportedly said in a statement.
What is DOGE?
DOGE was established on January 20 by President Trump to slash government spending and root out waste. While it has received praise from some, it has sparked outrage from others and many lawsuits as well.
