A federal judge upheld a temporary ban preventing Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Treasury Department records but clarified its scope. This decision is part of an ongoing legal battle initiated by 19 Democratic attorneys general, who argue that political appointees should not have access to confidential financial data belonging to millions of Americans.
Judge Jeannette A. Vargas of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued the revised order, maintaining the core of a previous injunction imposed last week. The ruling continues to block DOGE personnel—appointed under President Donald Trump—from retrieving Treasury data but explicitly permits Senate-confirmed Treasury officials, including Secretary Scott Bessent, to retain access, according to reports.
The lawsuit, filed last Friday, argues that Musk’s team lacks the specialized training required to handle sensitive financial information, including Social Security numbers and bank account details. Typically, such data is managed by career Treasury employees with security clearances.
The White House called the order “judicial overreach.”
“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 told CNN in a statement.
One of the judges attacking DOGE has a controversial history that has some calling for his impeachment.
The dispute has since escalated into a broader political battle over executive power and judicial oversight. Musk and Vice President JD Vance have publicly condemned the court’s intervention, with Musk calling the ban an attempt to obstruct government accountability. Over the weekend, he criticized the judiciary on social media, describing the initial ruling as “corrupt” and demanding the judge’s impeachment. Vance, echoing Musk’s concerns, questioned whether federal courts should have the authority to limit the executive branch’s access to internal government data.
If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal.
If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, that’s also illegal.
Judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) February 9, 2025
Supporters of DOGE argue that the department plays a critical role in identifying and eliminating wasteful government spending. Critics, however, warn that allowing Musk’s team unrestricted access to Treasury records could threaten financial privacy and security.
