WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction on Saturday, blocking Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive personal financial data from the Treasury Department.
The decision has sparked fierce backlash from Trump allies and right-wing influencers, with many calling it an attack on the elected government’s authority.
Background on the Dispute
The injunction follows a lawsuit filed by 19 Democratic state attorneys general, who challenged the Trump administration’s decision to grant DOGE access to the Treasury Department’s central payment systems. These systems manage trillions of dollars in transactions, including Social Security checks and federal salaries.
The lawsuit, citing violations of privacy laws and cybersecurity risks, argued that DOGE’s access could compromise millions of Americans’ personal financial data.
In response to the ruling, Judge Engelmayer ordered Musk’s team to destroy any records they had already accessed and placed further restrictions on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s ability to grant data access.
Republican Reaction: “An Unprecedented Overreach”
The ruling ignited outrage among Trump allies, who accused the judge of blocking the government from performing its basic functions and claimed the order undermines the will of the people.
Charlie Kirk’s Response:
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk took to social media, calling the ruling a product of “Blueanon conspiracy theories.”
“The judge cites no law or logic to support this unprecedented order, because it defies both,” Kirk said. “This is a grenade thrown into the functioning of the Treasury Department.”
Kirk argued that the ruling effectively reduces Scott Bessent’s role to a “ceremonial position without real power.”
Republican Senator Mike Lee Suggests Filing for Legal Relief
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) proposed filing a petition for an extraordinary writ of mandamus, a legal mechanism used to challenge court orders when they obstruct government duties.
“This sounds like a good time to file a petition for an extraordinary writ of mandamus,” Lee wrote, suggesting that the Trump administration push back in court.
Popular Influencers Weigh In
- Right-wing influencer AXL emphasized the importance of the Treasury Secretary’s role as the CFO of the U.S. government:“If the CFO is denied access to spending information, how can he do his job? The people elected Donald Trump, who appointed Scott Bessent to run the Treasury — not bureaucrats.”
- Conservative commentator John Jackson framed the ruling as a direct attack on the Trump administration:“This right here is a major test for the Trump administration. Will they allow a crooked judge to tell them they can’t access their OWN DATA? The response from DOJ should be the legal equivalent of FU.”
The Democrats’ Perspective
The ruling was celebrated by Democratic state attorneys general, who argued that granting DOGE access to sensitive financial data posed significant privacy and security risks. They cited the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Tax Reform Act of 1976, which place restrictions on how federal agencies can access and share personal information.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, one of the leaders of the lawsuit, said:
“This decision protects the sensitive personal data of millions of Americans and prevents misuse under the guise of government efficiency.”
What’s Next?
The Trump administration is expected to challenge the ruling, with legal experts predicting a lengthy battle in federal courts. The administration could file an emergency appeal or pursue the mandamus petition suggested by Senator Lee to force the judge to lift the injunction.
Meanwhile, right-wing media figures have vowed to keep the issue front and center, framing it as part of a larger battle against the so-called “deep state”.
The ruling has highlighted the deep partisan divide over Trump’s approach to governance. His outsourcing of government reform to Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative has sparked debate over government oversight, privacy, and executive authority.
As the legal battle unfolds, the stakes are high for both the Trump administration and government watchdogs, with long-term implications for how sensitive government data is managed and accessed.
Trump allies have made it clear they won’t back down without a fight—whether through the courts or public pressure. The next few weeks will be pivotal in determining how this clash over government transparency and privacy rights is resolved.
