Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency regains authority to access sensitive information at three federal agencies in a contentious legal battle.
According to AP News, a three-judge panel from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a lower court's preliminary injunction that had previously restricted DOGE's access to personal data at the Education Department, Treasury Department, and Office of Personnel Management.
The appeals court's decision marks a significant victory for the Trump administration, which argues that DOGE's access is essential for addressing fraud and upgrading technology across federal agencies. The ruling effectively overturns U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman's earlier decision that questioned the necessity of DOGE's broad data access.
The American Federation of Teachers leads the opposition against DOGE's data access, claiming violations of federal privacy laws. The teachers' union, representing 1.8 million workers, argues that the Trump administration overstepped by granting access to sensitive personal information without proper consent.
The contested data includes highly sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, income details, birth dates, and citizenship status of tens of millions of Americans. Critics argue this level of access poses significant privacy risks.
The case has drawn support from various organizations, including the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Judge G. Steven Agee, writing for the majority, criticized the lower court's interpretation of legal precedent. Judge Julius Richardson supported this position with the following statement:
But it does not stretch the imagination to think that modernizing an agency's software and IT systems would require administrator-level access to those systems, including any internal databases
However, Judge Robert King expressed strong disagreement with his colleagues. Democratic nominee King supported the district court's original decision but failed to secure a broader panel review.
The 4th Circuit's ruling aligns with previous decisions favoring the Trump administration's initiatives. DOGE has already secured access to the U.S. Agency for International Development and received support for executive orders targeting diversity programs.
The court maintains some restrictions, notably keeping in place an order that blocks DOGE from accessing Social Security Administration data. This limitation reflects ongoing concerns about the scope of DOGE's authority.
The decision comes amid growing debate about federal agency modernization and data privacy protection. Critics worry about potential misuse of sensitive information.
The appeals court's decision allows DOGE to resume its operations at three major federal agencies while the underlying lawsuit continues. The ruling specifically addresses concerns about demonstrating concrete injury from data access.
A key point of contention remains the Education Department's data, with plaintiffs arguing that DOGE's access serves destructive rather than constructive purposes. Six individuals with sensitive information in federal systems, including military veterans, have joined the lawsuit to challenge DOGE's authority.
