Nineteen States Sue Trump Administration Over Access to Treasury Data
A group of nineteen states, led by Democratic attorneys general from New York and California, have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The lawsuit accuses the administration of illegally granting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E) access to sensitive personal data and financial systems managed by the US Treasury.
The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court on Friday, challenges Trump’s executive order creating D.O.G.E, a unit aimed at reducing wasteful spending and modernizing government technology. What was intended as a simple initiative has quickly turned into a legal and political controversy.
Concerns Over Access to Treasury Data
The lawsuit alleges that Trump and Scott allowed Elon Musk and his D.O.G.E team unrestricted access to the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Services (BFS), which handles billions of dollars in federal payments, including Social Security, Medicare, and state funding. The states argue that this decision was made without proper authorization or security measures in place.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading the legal action, criticized the administration’s actions as reckless. She emphasized the importance of protecting private information and ensuring that federal funds are not mismanaged.
The states are seeking a permanent restraining order to prevent D.O.G.E from accessing Treasury data and advocating for stricter vetting processes for individuals granted access. These measures include mandatory background checks and security clearances.
Response from the White House
The White House has dismissed the lawsuit as a political maneuver by Democrats. Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields described it as an attempt to undermine the administration’s efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending.
Legal experts suggest that Trump and Scott may have exceeded their authority in granting D.O.G.E access to Treasury data. The lawsuit argues that their actions were arbitrary and capricious, potentially violating the Administrative Procedures Act.
National Concerns and Controversy
Democrats in Congress have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with D.O.G.E’s access to sensitive government systems. Senator Ron Wyden labeled the operation as an “unprecedented insider threat” to national security.
While Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insists that D.O.G.E’s access is limited to reviewing spending and identifying inefficiencies, critics warn of potential security breaches. Unions representing federal workers have also filed a lawsuit alleging the unauthorized sharing of personal information with D.O.G.E.
Additional Controversy Surrounding D.O.G.E
The involvement of Edward Coristine, a member of the D.O.G.E team, has added further controversy to the situation. Coristine, previously fired from a cybersecurity firm for unauthorized data access, has sparked concerns about the vetting process for D.O.G.E personnel.
Senator Wyden has called for the suspension of the entire D.O.G.E program in light of these revelations, emphasizing the importance of proper vetting and security measures. The ongoing legal battles and concerns surrounding D.O.G.E highlight the complexities of government data access and security.