Judge Allows DOGE Treasury Access Despite Privacy Concerns/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A federal judge in Washington, D.C., refused to block employees of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury systems containing sensitive American financial data. While acknowledging privacy concerns, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled that plaintiffs failed to show an immediate risk. The decision follows a separate New York court order barring DOGE from Treasury access, amid mounting legal challenges from unions and state attorneys general.
DOGE Treasury Access Ruling: Quick Look
- Judge Rejects Request to Block DOGE:
- Federal court in Washington, D.C., denies injunction against DOGE.
- Employees retain access to Treasury systems under strict oversight.
- Privacy Concerns Acknowledged:
- Judge says worries are “understandable” but lack legal merit.
- Leaves room for future legal challenges if data risks emerge.
- Separate Court Order in New York:
- Another judge has barred DOGE from Treasury access.
- Lawsuits filed by 19 state attorneys general challenge DOGE operations.
- Elon Musk Defends DOGE Appointees:
- A DOGE employee resigned over racist social media posts.
- Musk vowed to rehire him, sparking controversy.
Judge Allows DOGE Treasury Access Despite Privacy Concerns
Federal Judge Allows DOGE Treasury Access: Deep Look
Court Rules Against Blocking DOGE, Despite Public Concerns
In a highly anticipated ruling on Friday, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly denied a request to block employees of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department systems. The lawsuit, filed by retirees and union leaders, sought to prevent DOGE employees from handling sensitive financial data over concerns of misuse and data security breaches.
While the judge acknowledged that the plaintiffs’ concerns were “understandable and no doubt widely shared”, she determined they had not provided sufficient evidence of imminent harm.
“Merely asserting that the Treasury DOGE Team’s operations increase the risk of a catastrophic data breach or public disclosure of sensitive information … is not sufficient to support a preliminary injunction,” Kollar-Kotelly wrote in her decision.
Her ruling maintains read-only access for a small DOGE team, a restriction that was previously negotiated with the Trump administration.
DOGE’s Controversial Role in Treasury Operations
DOGE, a controversial agency created under Elon Musk’s leadership in the Trump administration, has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of federal agencies and personnel reductions. The Treasury Department access dispute stems from fears that DOGE’s work could compromise financial data security, affecting millions of Americans.
Concerns were further heightened when one of the two DOGE employees with Treasury access resigned after being linked to racist social media posts. Musk, however, publicly stated he would rehire the individual, drawing widespread criticism.
A Different Ruling in New York Bars DOGE’s Treasury Access
While DOGE retains access in Washington, a separate federal ruling in New York has temporarily blocked the agency from Treasury systems. That decision came after a lawsuit filed by 19 Democratic attorneys general, who argued that DOGE’s presence in federal financial systems posed an unacceptable risk.
“I would not hesitate to grant a block if there’s evidence of risky information sharing,” Kollar-Kotelly stated.
What’s Next for DOGE and Treasury Oversight?
With ongoing legal battles and divided court rulings, the future of DOGE’s role in Treasury operations remains unclear. Key questions moving forward include:
- Will further lawsuits force tighter restrictions on DOGE’s access?
- Could federal agencies push for Musk’s removal from DOGE leadership?
- How will this impact financial data security for millions of Americans?
As watchdog groups and lawmakers continue scrutinizing DOGE’s activities, Friday’s ruling ensures the agency can maintain its limited role at the Treasury—at least for now.
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