A federal judge stopped Musk’s doge financial records case from moving forward. The judge blocked Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) from accessing personal financial data. Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction on Saturday, ordering Musk and his team to destroy any records they had obtained.
Nineteen state attorneys general sued the Trump administration after officials granted Doge access to Treasury Department records. They contended that Doge was an unauthorized organization and Musk, a “special government employee,” lacked the legal capacity to handle private information.
The complaint named the Treasury Department, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and President Donald Trump as defendants. Engelmayer ruled that states faced irreparable harm due to the risk of exposing confidential financial information and potential cybersecurity threats.
His order blocked Treasury officials from sharing personal data with exceptional government employees, political appointees, or outside personnel. Only vetted civil servants at the Bureau of Fiscal Services could access the records.
The judge also required anyone with restricted access to destroy any copies of financial records immediately. His injunction remains in effect until a court hearing is scheduled for February 14th. The White House Trump and Musk have not responded to the ruling or the ongoing legal battle.
Musk’s involvement in Trump’s administration has already sparked controversy, mainly through Doge’s aggressive cost-cutting measures. His initiative led to massive budget reductions at USAID, which funds global aid programs. Critics argue Doge operates outside normal government oversight, raising concerns about accountability.
Cybersecurity experts warn that unauthorized access to Treasury records could expose millions of Americans to financial fraud or identity theft. Privacy advocates also fear the decision to involve private sector figures like Musk in government data management sets a dangerous precedent.
With the legal fight intensifying, both sides are preparing for the February hearing, at which the judge will decide whether to extend the injunction. Musk’s doge financial records case highlights growing tensions over government transparency, financial privacy, and the role of private industry in public administration.
