Nineteen Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit on Friday against President Donald Trump’s administration, aiming to halt Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department records containing sensitive personal data, including Social Security and bank account numbers for millions of Americans.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York City, alleges that the Trump administration violated federal law by granting Musk’s team access to the Treasury’s central payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in tax refunds, Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits, and other critical payments.
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The legal challenge is the latest attempt by progressive leaders to obstruct the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline government operations and eliminate wasteful spending.
The Department of Government Efficiency was established by the Trump administration to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in federal spending. Musk, a visionary entrepreneur known for revolutionizing industries such as electric vehicles and space exploration, was tapped to lead the initiative due to his track record of innovation and cost-cutting.
DOGE’s access to Treasury records is a key component of its mission to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs.
By analyzing financial data, Musk’s team aims to identify areas where taxpayer dollars are being misused or squandered, ensuring that funds are directed toward their intended purposes.
Supporters of the initiative argue that DOGE’s work is essential to restoring fiscal responsibility and transparency in government.
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The lawsuit, led by Democratic attorneys general from states including New York, California, and Illinois claims that DOGE’s access to Treasury records violates federal privacy laws and puts Americans’ sensitive data at risk.
The plaintiffs argue that the Trump administration failed to follow proper procedures and safeguards when granting Musk’s team access to the payment system.
“President Trump does not have the power to give away Americans’ private information to anyone he chooses, and he cannot cut federal payments approved by Congress,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has been one of Trump’s chief antagonists. “Musk and DOGE have no authority to access Americans’ private information and some of our country’s most sensitive data.”
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The lawsuit is expected to face significant legal hurdles, as the Trump administration maintains that DOGE’s access to Treasury records is lawful and necessary for its mission. The case will likely spark a broader debate over the balance between privacy concerns and the need for government accountability.
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