Federal Judge Allows DOGE Access to Labor Department Systems Amid Controversy
A federal judge on Friday decided not to block the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, from accessing systems at the Labor Department.
U.S. District Judge John Bates expressed concerns about DOGE but noted that the labor unions who sought to prevent access have not yet demonstrated any legal injury. "Although the court harbors concerns about defendants' alleged conduct, it must deny plaintiffs' motion at this time," Bates wrote.
The Labor Department has previously investigated companies like SpaceX and Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, who leads DOGE. These investigations have included keeping records that contain information about competitors' trade secrets, as claimed by the unions in their lawsuit.
In a related ruling, a federal judge allowed limited DOGE access to sensitive Treasury Department payment system records. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration at the Labor Department has also conducted investigations and fined SpaceX and Tesla for worker safety violations.
The Labor Department's systems hold medical and financial records for millions of Americans, including individuals who have filed safety complaints against their employers.
This decision follows an agreement by the Trump administration that DOGE would not have access to Labor Department systems until the judge reached a conclusion.
The Justice Department noted that three DOGE staffers are assigned to the Labor Department and must adhere to the law regarding sensitive corporate and worker data during their review.
Musk’s DOGE previously gained access to sensitive Treasury Department records, although this was later blocked due to concerns about personal data security for millions of Americans. DOGE has also taken steps to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development and has offered incentives for federal workers to resign.
According to labor union lawyers represented by the advocacy group Democracy Forward, "At every step, DOGE is violating multiple laws, from constitutional limits on executive power to laws protecting civil servants from arbitrary threats."
Labor Department leadership reportedly advised union members to comply with DOGE's requests without resistance. In response to the ongoing controversy, the Justice Department stated that there was no evidence of misconduct and warned against issuing a broad order based on speculation. Additionally, nineteen states have filed lawsuits regarding DOGE's access to federal payment systems.
