A US federal judge has extended a temporary block on Elon Musk’s government cost-cutting team from accessing payment systems at the US Treasury Department, citing concerns over sensitive personal information and potential disruptions to funding for health clinics and preschools. The decision comes as part of a broader wave of lawsuits challenging Trump initiatives, with around 70 cases filed so far. Democratic attorneys general have challenged Musk’s legal authority, arguing that his team has no power to access the payment systems. Meanwhile, other judges have allowed DOGE staffers to access records at health and labor agencies, despite concerns over transparency and accountability. The Trump administration defends DOGE’s oversight role in government systems, citing the need to reduce waste and fraud in student loan programs.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/legal/judges-consider-barring-musks-doge-team-government-systems-2025-02-14