In a shocking move, New York Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration to block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing personal data stored in the Treasury Department.
What’s at Stake?
The lawsuit claims that DOGE’s access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system and sensitive data, including bank account details and Social Security numbers, is unlawful and unconstitutional.
The attorneys general are seeking an injunction to prevent Musk and DOGE from getting their hands on this sensitive information.
A Power Play by Trump?
According to James, Trump is trying to “give away Americans’ private information to anyone he chooses,” which is a clear violation of the law.
“As the richest man in the world, Elon Musk is not used to being told ‘no,’ but in our country, no one is above the law,” she said in a statement.
Musk’s Controversial Role
This is not the first time James has sued Trump, and it’s not the first time Musk has been at the center of controversy.
The Justice Department has yet to respond to the lawsuit, but the stakes are high. If Musk and DOGE are allowed to access this sensitive data, it could have serious implications for Americans’ privacy and financial security.
A Growing Coalition
The states joining New York in the lawsuit include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
This coalition is determined to stop Musk and DOGE from getting access to sensitive data and to protect Americans’ privacy.
A Similar Suit Filed Earlier
Just days ago, a group of retirees and union members filed a similar lawsuit in Washington, arguing that Musk and DOGE’s expanded access to the government’s payment system and its data violated federal privacy laws.
The Justice Department has temporarily restricted DOGE staffers from accessing the data, but the lawsuit is ongoing.
Democrats Speak Out
Democratic lawmakers have been vocal in their criticism of Musk’s actions, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling him an “unelected billionaire” who has been granted improper access to Americans’ sensitive data.
“We cannot allow Elon Musk and a small group of people to secretly, behind close doors, take away our privacy, take away our dollars, take away everything we have,” Schumer said.