The Department of Government Efficiency faces a legal battle and a temporary block from U.S. Treasury payment systems due to allegations of privacy violations.
Quick Takes
- DOGE has limited access to Treasury data, with “read-only” access granted.
- Lawsuit filed by unions claims DOGE violated privacy laws.
- Federal judge to decide on extending system access restrictions.
- DOGE’s future access to sensitive data scrutinized by lawmakers.
Restriction on Treasury Access
The Justice Department has agreed to confine the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to sensitive Treasury data, only granting “read-only” access to two Musk affiliates, Tom Krause and Marko Elez. This decision comes as a response to a lawsuit filed by federal employee unions that accuse DOGE operators of illegally accessing sensitive information. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is named in the lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees, the Service Employees International Union, and the Alliance for Retired Americans.
The restriction will be in place until a federal judge, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, decides on whether to extend the access limitations, with a decision expected by February 24. Democratic congressional leaders have also questioned the Trump administration regarding the security and legality of DOGE’s access to these crucial databases.
DOJ agrees to proposed order to limit DOGE's access to Treasury data — The hearing followed a lawsuit filed by three federal unions that alleged DOGE employees violated federal privacy laws when they accessed data from the Treasury Department, including the names, social… pic.twitter.com/tnGwFNePaB
— Doug Poppa Podcast (@dougpoppa1) February 6, 2025
Concerns Over Data Security
Concerns remain high regarding DOGE’s potential for accessing sensitive and classified information without adequate clearance. DOJ attorneys have stated explicitly that no access will be provided to payment records or systems within the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Democratic lawmakers are demanding more transparency over whom DOGE employs and under what authority it operates. The Senate Intelligence Committee has raised alarms about the apparent lack of oversight, especially regarding access to data that involves millions of American citizens.
“The scale of the intrusion into individuals’ privacy is massive and unprecedented. Millions of people cannot avoid engaging in financial transactions with the federal government and, therefore, cannot avoid having their sensitive personal and financial information maintained in government records.” – The unions and advocacy group
Critics, including Democratic Senate Intelligence Committee members, are voicing stark concerns about the lack of information provided to Congress or the public regarding DOGE’s operations. They argue that having a clearer understanding of authority and regulations is crucial, citing potential privacy risks associated with DOGE’s operations.
❗️Trump admin LIMITS DOGE's Treasury access over personal data concerns
The agreement follows a lawsuit claiming that granting DOGE access to the federal government's extensive payment and collections system breached federal privacy laws. pic.twitter.com/FbPDOIDYKf
— RT (@RT_com) February 6, 2025
Legal and Political Implications
The lawsuit also requests a temporary restraining order to halt the Treasury Department from sharing further sensitive information with DOGE and calls for the return of any already accessed data. The Department of Justice struggles to clarify how DOGE intends to use the obtained data to meet its goal of reducing government size and inefficiency. Amid these legal challenges, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced DOGE’s involvement in aviation system upgrades, emphasizing their controversial but ongoing role in government streamlining efforts.
“At every step, DOGE is violating multiple laws, from constitutional limits on executive power, to laws protecting civil servants from arbitrary threats and adverse action, to crucial protections for government data collected and stored on hundreds of millions of Americans.” – lawsuit
As discussions continue between parties to finalize an appropriate court order, the situation remains tense, with DOGE’s leadership under public and governmental scrutiny. Both plaintiffs and government officials have proposed edits and established agreements for the court’s consideration, albeit with unresolved disputes still at play.
Sources:
- Justice Department Lawyers Agree To Limit DOGE Operatives’ Access To Sensitive Treasury Data
- DOGE Access to Treasury Records Restricted by Justice Department – Newsweek
- Federal Government to Restrict DOGE Access to Treasury Department Systems: Filing | The Epoch Times
