A coalition of 19 states, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, has filed a lawsuit to block government employees tied to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive taxpayer information. This data includes Social Security numbers and bank account details of millions of Americans. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, argues that this expanded access policy creates significant cybersecurity risks, violates federal laws, and undermines protections for personal financial data.
The lawsuit highlights that the Department of Government Efficiency's new policy permits "special government employees" to access records held by the Bureau of Fiscal Service (BFS), an agency critical to managing federal finances. The BFS oversees payments and funds distribution, effectively operating as the federal government’s checkbook. By granting DOGE employees access to these systems, the attorneys general argue, the administration has jeopardized state funding and violated legal standards for data security.
Critics have raised concerns over Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s role in this policy change. They allege that his actions violate his duty to safeguard private information, particularly for veterans, retirees, and taxpayers. According to the lawsuit, Bessent’s decision lacked transparency and a clear justification, especially regarding the qualifications, job roles, and security clearance levels of DOGE employees.
The states also contend that DOGE’s actions interfere with congressionally allocated funds and violate the Administrative Procedures Act. Furthermore, they argue that these changes breach the separation of powers doctrine and President Trump’s constitutional obligation to uphold the law. A federal judge has already issued a temporary order blocking DOGE from accessing Treasury Department records. However, two Treasury employees linked to Musk still hold limited “read-only” access to these systems.
The lawsuit comes amid widespread criticism of Musk’s budget-cutting measures, which have disrupted multiple federal departments and triggered numerous legal challenges. State officials stress that unauthorized access to sensitive data puts millions of Americans at risk of identity theft and financial misuse.
The suit underscores growing concerns about cybersecurity and governmental overreach under the Trump administration. As the legal battle unfolds, questions about transparency and accountability remain unanswered. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share your insights in the comments below.
