Judge Rejects Bid to Block DOGE From Treasury Data

A federal judge in Washington has approved DOGE’s access to Treasury data, ruling that opponents failed to prove potential harm, while a New York judge continues to block access in a separate case.

Key Takeaways

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly rejected a request to block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury data
DOGE remains restricted from Treasury systems by a separate ruling from Judge Jeannette Vargas in New York over security clearance concerns
The Washington judge found no evidence of imminent plans to misuse private information but left the door open for future restrictions if circumstances change
Trump’s efficiency department has faced multiple legal challenges across various federal agencies while claiming to have identified $105 billion in potential savings

Washington Judge Allows DOGE Treasury Access

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly has denied a request to block President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing data at the Department of the Treasury. The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of advocacy groups and unions, sought to prevent DOGE from accessing Treasury information based on concerns about potential mishandling of sensitive data. Despite acknowledging these worries as “understandable and no doubt widely shared,” the judge ruled that plaintiffs failed to demonstrate that irreparable harm would result from DOGE’s read-only access.

Judge Kollar-Kotelly’s ruling stated that while privacy concerns existed, there was insufficient evidence that DOGE planned to misuse the data. She wrote that the plaintiffs had not established that DOGE intended to make private information public or share it with outside entities. The judge did emphasize that she would reconsider her position if evidence emerged showing plans to compromise data confidentiality, leaving the door open for future legal challenges.

U.S. Court grants Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency access to federal treasury data

A federal judge has denied the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction, allowing DOGE to regain access to confidential U.S. Treasury data, including information on salaries, Social… pic.twitter.com/gmze12Gfs1

— First Source Report (@FirstSourceNew) March 9, 2025

Conflicting Judicial Rulings Create Uncertainty

Despite the favorable ruling in Washington, DOGE remains restricted from accessing Treasury data and payment systems due to a separate lawsuit filed by Democratic attorney generals from 19 states. In that case, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas in New York issued an order blocking DOGE’s access, citing concerns over insufficient security clearances and inadequate training of DOGE personnel. This creates a complex legal situation where different federal judges have reached opposite conclusions about DOGE’s authority.

“Indeed, taking the time to adequately mitigate potential security concerns and properly onboard members to engage in this work outweighs the defendants’ immediate need to access and redevelop [the] Treasury system,” wrote Judge Vargas in her ruling.

Judge Vargas further explained her decision by highlighting the significant risks at stake, noting: “Without addressing these issues, the potential consequences of a cybersecurity breach could be catastrophic.” However, she did indicate that her restrictions could be lifted if DOGE staff obtained proper training and security clearances, suggesting the limitation may be temporary rather than permanent. The judge also declined to impose broader restrictions on DOGE’s ability to create processes to stop payments.

DOGE Faces Multiple Legal Challenges

The Treasury Department is not the only federal agency where DOGE has encountered legal roadblocks. Courts have also blocked the efficiency team from accessing data at the Department of Education, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Labor. Additionally, DOGE’s access to IRS data is being challenged in separate litigation. These legal battles reflect the controversial nature of the department created by President Trump to eliminate wasteful spending and streamline government operations.

“If Plaintiffs could show that Defendants imminently planned to make their private information public or to share that information with individuals outside the federal government with no obligation to maintain its confidentiality, the Court would not hesitate to find a likelihood of irreparable harm,” Judge Kollar-Kotelly clarified in her ruling.

Prior to these legal challenges, DOGE’s work at Treasury had been restricted to two employees with read-only access. One of those employees resigned following controversy over social media posts, further complicating the department’s efforts. Despite these obstacles, the Trump administration continues to defend DOGE’s mission, claiming the department has already identified $105 billion in potential savings through various proposed reforms. Critics maintain concerns about security, oversight, and the department’s relatively undefined role in government.