In a lawsuit filed Monday, several taxpayers and union groups alleged that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) violated several laws in its quest to unearth and eliminate unnecessary government spending. did.
The group alleges that Doge launched a “sweep campaign to access highly sensitive information systems,” restricting enforcement rights, protecting civil servants, and violating government-held laws that protect citizen data I’m doing it.
Created by an executive order earlier this year, the agency is a temporary organization within the White House, tasked with optimizing the federal government, streamlining its operations and cutting spending in just 18 months.
US President Donald Trump is joined by Tesla, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and son X Musk, signing in the White House oval office on February 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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Focusing on recent DOGE lawsuits in the Department of Finance, Labor, Education and Health, and the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, the Human Resources and Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the lawsuit states that access to Doge’s confidential information systems is statutory. It claims to be lacking authority. ”
Specifically, it alleges that Doge violated the Tax Reform Act, Privacy Act, and the Control Procedure Act.
“The outcome was already devastating,” according to the lawsuit.
Around 100 Doge protesters gathered, fearing Doge would cut the Finance Bureau’s workforce. (Fox News Digital)
Without court intervention, the group said it was concerned that DOGE would have access to sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, personal finances and bank account information.
The lawsuit also claims Doge has access to confidential business information, tax records and IRS investigations, “may include an investigation or report on Mr. [Elon] Mask business or his competitor business. ”
“No other business owners on the planet have access to this kind of information about his competitors.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, co-chair of the newly announced Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE), will arrive at Capitol Hill on December 5th, 2024 in Washington, DC. Musk and his co-chairman Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman, have both lawmakers and lawmakers today on Doge, a planned presidential advisory committee aimed at reducing government spending and increasing the efficiency of the federal workforce. I’m meeting with him. (Anna Money Maker/Getty Images)
Doge won a big court victory and allowed access data at three federal agencies
The group – the Tax Rights Center, the Main Street Alliance, the National Federation of Federal Employees, and the American Communications Worker – is a temporary measure to maintain the status quo until the court has the opportunity to consider Doge and Musk’s actions. We are seeking a restraining order.
After review, the plaintiffs asked the court to declare Doge access illegally, halt the use of the IRS system, illegally delete any information obtained, and establish new security protections.
The lawsuit was filed prior to the federal judge’s ruling on Tuesday to prevent Doge from accessing government data or laying off federal employees.
On Friday, February 14th, we will be meeting in support of federal workers outside the Department of Health and Human Services to support federal workers outside the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
US District Judge Tanya Chakkan refused the request for a temporary restraining order, noting that there was no evidence that the agency’s access caused “irreparable harm.”
However, Chukkan had doubts, “it appears to be an unchecked authority of an unselected individual.”
She also expressed concern about Doge’s accountability to Congress.
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Protesters show they are supporting federal workers outside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on February 14, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Organizers held protests to talk about government efficiency (DOGE). (Anna Money Maker/Getty Images)
Last week, more than dozens of Democratic state attorney generals called for a temporary restriction of Doge’s access to federal government data on government officials, citing concerns about mask access and power.
According to a lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Trez, “the greater threat to a democracy than the accumulation of state power to a single unelected individual.” There is no major threat either.”
Attorney generals of California, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington also signed the lawsuit.
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Breanne Deppisch of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Alexandra Koch is a news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox News, Alexandra covered news, crime, religion and military in the Southeast.
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