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A federal judge in New York has ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created by the Trump administration, can access sensitive U.S. Treasury Department systems. This decision, announced Tuesday (May 27), allows DOGE employees to review payment records and confidential financial information, provided they complete federal training and submit financial disclosures.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas stated that the Treasury Department's DOGE team, including members Thomas Krause, Linda Whitridge, Samuel Corcos, and Todd Newnam, can access the systems after meeting these conditions. Previously, only one member, Ryan Wunderly, had been granted access in April. The judge emphasized that the court should not act as a human resources officer for the Treasury, allowing the department to manage future access for DOGE employees who meet the necessary requirements.
The ruling follows a lawsuit by 19 Democratic state attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who challenged DOGE's access over privacy and legality concerns. The lawsuit highlighted the risk of exposing personal information, such as Social Security and bank account numbers, and questioned the executive branch's authority over such sensitive data. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong described DOGE as "an unlawfully constituted band of renegade tech bros" in February.
Despite these concerns, the court's decision marks a significant step for the White House's cost-cutting and modernization agenda. DOGE aims to eliminate wasteful federal spending across multiple agencies, including the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments. The ruling may set precedents regarding the balance between government efficiency initiatives and federal privacy protections.