On Friday, a federal judge in Washington handed the victory to Elon Musk’s government efficiency team by denying requests to temporarily block access to sensitive data from at least three federal agencies.
Unions and nonprofits have tried to stop Mask Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing records from the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Consumer Financial Protection Agency.
US District Judge John Bates wrote that the government thought it was likely correct to classify Doge as an agency, allowing other government departments to detail staff .
On Friday, a federal judge in Washington handed the victory to Elon Musk’s government efficiency team by denying requests to temporarily block access to sensitive data from at least three federal agencies. (AP image)
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However, Bates called his findings “close questions,” pointing out that the government does not want Doge to be considered an agency for the purposes of another federal law.
Bates, appointed by President George W. Bush, said Dozi is “a body of Goldilocks. When it is burdensome, it is an agency, not an agency, when it is convenient.”
“The plaintiffs have not shown substantial possibilities [DOGE] It’s not an agency. If so, [DOGE] He may elaborate on that employee to other institutions that are consistent with economic law,” he wrote in part.
A key promise of President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, the newly created institution is actively reducing government waste when it comes to government spending. This was created by an executive order and is a temporary organization within the White House, and will spend 18 months carrying out its mission.
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The Department of Justice claims that the DOGE official in question is a “detailed” U.S. government employee with access to information under the provisions of the Economic Act.
Musk welcomed the decision by reposting the news of X with the caption “lfg.”
Judge Bates suggested on Friday that Doge’s creation and hierarchy was “strange.” [Office of Management and Budget] Instead, he answers the president’s chief of staff. ”
On Friday, February 14th, demonstrators will meet in Washington to help federal workers outside the Department of Health and Human Services. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
“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.”
Union lawyers representing Labor Bureau employees said at last week’s hearing that there was no court intervention, so Doge has been protected institutional information, including financial and medical records for millions of Americans, as well as employees. They claimed they had access to staff safety and workplace complaints.
The plaintiff said the Ministry of Labor’s system includes sensitive information about the investigation of Musk-owned companies Tesla and SpaceX, as well as the trade secrets of competitors, allowing access to Elon Musk’s information. It raised concerns about
Lawyer Mark Samburg argued that granting Doge access to this information could have a “cool effect” on new employees moving forward, fearing illegal disclosure or retaliation. .
“The sensitive information of millions of people is now at the immediate risk of illegal disclosure,” Samburg said.
The plaintiff urged Judge Bates to grant a temporary request to block Doge’s access to information.
President Donald Trump signs the executive order in an oval office. Doge, created by an executive order, is a temporary organization within the White House and will spend 18 months carrying out its mission. (Anna Money Maker/Getty Images)
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Separately, on Friday a federal judge extended a temporary order blocking Doge from accessing payment systems within the Treasury Department.
The extension comes after 19 state attorney generals filed a lawsuit alleging Doge had illegally access to the Treasury’s central payment system at the Trump administration’s request.
Brie Stimson and Reuters of Fox News contributed to this report.
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
You can submit tips to Michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
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