In a late-night decision, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing the Treasury Department’s payment systems. The order was granted in response to a lawsuit filed by several state attorneys general who argued that the move posed significant security risks.
Judge Paul Engelmayer’s ruling emphasized the potential for “irreparable harm” and cited concerns about data security. The order bars Musk’s team from accessing sensitive personal and financial information, including Social Security and bank account numbers.
The judge’s decision represents a setback for the Trump administration’s initiative to modernize government operations through DOGE. Critics have argued that granting access to Treasury systems could expose millions of Americans to security vulnerabilities.
The restraining order also requires that any data already accessed by Musk’s team be immediately destroyed. A hearing is set for February 14, where the administration will present its case.
This development is a significant point in the ongoing legal challenges surrounding the Trump administration’s attempts to reform federal bureaucracy and the role of DOGE in those efforts.
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