A federal judge on Friday delayed indefinitely the final ruling on the Labor Department’s request that Elon Musk’s government efficiency team block access to internal system data, telling the parties that “you’ll hear from me.” Say and refuse to promise an exact time or date.
An update from US District Judge John Bates, appointee of George W. Bush, comes just a week after rejecting previous attempts from the Labor Bureau. He was unable to stand and demonstrate that he would do sufficient harm as a result of his actions.
In response, the union revised its complaints to expand the scope of the lawsuit, adding the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Ministry of Education and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
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Protesters demonstrated support for federal workers outside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. on February 14, 2025. Organizers held protests to talk about government efficiency (DOGE). ((Photo: Anna Money Maker/Getty Images))
Because Doge is not technically a US government agency, Friday’s debate was extended for more than three hours, claiming Doge employees are illegally accessing information.
“We are reporting that Doge is directing contract reductions with agent staff,” a plaintiff’s lawyer told Judge Bates, “The situation is very fluid and changing,” the plaintiff said. He insisted.
They urged Judge Bates to grant a temporary request to block Doge’s access to information.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice argued that the DOGE official in question is a “detailed” U.S. government official with access to information under the provisions of the Economic Act.
Judge Bates refused to take control from the bench and told both sides, “You’ll hear from me.”
The update will be of little use in recent years as Doge eases concerns at the Labor Bureau and other federal agencies over access to sensitive internal data.
Labor union lawyers said at last week’s hearing that there was no court intervention, so Doge was a protected agency that includes financial and medical records for millions of Americans, employee safety and workplace complaints. They claimed they had access to the information.
The plaintiff said the Labor Bureau system includes confidential information regarding the investigation of Tesla and SpaceX of Musk-owned companies, as well as trade secrets of competitors, and the plaintiff replies with regard to the possibility of access to Elon Musk. He said it raised concerns.
Lawyer Mark Samburg argued that Doge access to this information could have a “serious effect” on new employees, fearing illegal disclosure or retaliation.
“The sensitive information of millions of people is now at the immediate risk of illegal disclosure,” Samburg said.
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Judge Bates suggested on Friday that Doge’s creation and hierarchy was “strange.” [Office of Management and Budget]and instead answers the president’s chief of staff. ”
“We’ve put in a lot of effort to avoid being an agent, but in this case you’re an agent,” he said of Doge. “It just seems to be putting a strain on reliability.”
This is a broken news story. Please check for updates soon.
Breanne Deppisch is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the Trump administration, focusing on the Department of Justice, the FBI and other national news.
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