Sat Feb 08 02:08:46 UTC 2025: ## 19 Democratic Attorneys General Sue Trump Over Musk’s Access to Treasury Data

**New York, NY – February 8, 2025** – Nineteen Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit on Friday against President Donald Trump, challenging the access granted to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to sensitive Treasury Department data. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York City, alleges that this access violates federal law and jeopardizes the personal financial information of millions of Americans.

DOGE, established to identify and eliminate wasteful government spending, has been granted access to the Treasury’s central payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in annual payments, including tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and veterans’ benefits. The lawsuit contends that this access allows for the potential illegal freezing of federal funds and raises significant security concerns.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a lead plaintiff, stated that the unauthorized access to this sensitive data poses a serious threat and that DOGE, led by an unelected individual, is not authorized to possess this information. She further asserted that President Trump lacks the authority to release private American citizen’s data or to halt federally approved payments.

The lawsuit alleges that DOGE’s actions could interfere with Congressionally appropriated funding, exceeding the Treasury Department’s statutory authority. It also claims violations of federal administrative law and the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers. The suit further accuses Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of altering departmental policy to facilitate DOGE’s access.

While the Treasury Department maintains that the review aims to assess system integrity without making changes, sources suggest Musk’s team initially sought to suspend payments from the U.S. Agency for International Development, an agency Trump and Musk are attempting to dismantle.

The lawsuit is not the only legal challenge facing DOGE. Democratic lawmakers are pursuing a Treasury Department investigation, and labor unions and advocacy groups have also filed suit to block the payment system review. A Washington judge has already temporarily restricted access for two DOGE employees. The legal battle over access to this sensitive data and its implications for federal payments is expected to continue.

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