Democratic Attorneys General Sue Trump Over Musk's Access to Treasury Records
Nineteen Democratic attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump to prevent Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive Treasury Department records that include personal data such as Social Security and bank account numbers for millions of Americans.
The lawsuit, submitted in federal court in New York City, alleges that the Trump administration granted Musk’s team unauthorized access to the Treasury Department's central payment system, thereby violating federal law.
This payment system is responsible for managing tax refunds, Social Security benefits, veterans' benefits, and other financial operations totaling trillions of dollars annually, while containing a vast collection of personal data.
The White House did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, was established to identify and eliminate what the Trump administration considers wasteful government spending. However, critics have raised alarms about DOGE's extensive powers regarding Treasury records and agency inspections, while supporters laud the efforts to streamline government finances.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who spearheaded the lawsuit, expressed concerns that DOGE's access to Treasury data could lead to security risks and the potential for illegal freezes on federal funds. "This unelected group, led by the world's richest man, is not authorized to have this information," James asserted in a released video message.
James emphasized that the president does not possess the authority to distribute Americans' private information indiscriminately, nor can he disrupt federal payments sanctioned by Congress.
The lawsuit also includes participation from attorneys general in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
The legal complaint argues that DOGE's access could interfere with Congress-approved funding and that such actions would surpass the Treasury Department's statutory capabilities. Additionally, it contends that DOGE’s access infringes upon federal administrative law and the separation of powers as outlined by the U.S. Constitution.
Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent altered the longstanding policy meant to safeguard sensitive personal and financial information, granting Musk’s DOGE team access to the payment systems improperly.
The Treasury Department has asserted that the review aims to maintain the system's integrity and that no changes are currently being enacted. According to two individuals familiar with the inquiry, Musk’s team initially sought methods to suspend payments from the U.S. Agency for International Development, which Trump and Musk are attempting to dismantle. These individuals spoke to The Associated Press under anonymity due to fear of retaliation.
Moreover, Democratic lawmakers are urging a Treasury Department investigation regarding DOGE's access to the payment system. Labor unions and advocacy groups have similarly filed lawsuits to halt the review process due to concerns about its legality, resulting in a Washington judge temporarily restricting access to certain employees with "read only" privileges.
