Trump administration puts restrictions on Musk’s DOGE

The Trump administration has agreed to restrict access of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the Treasury Department's payment systems. This agreement came as a response to a lawsuit accusing the Treasury of committing an "unlawful action" by providing DOGE access to sensitive financial data.

The lawsuit was initiated by a group of union members and retirees. They argued that providing DOGE access to the federal government's payment and collections system, including personal data, violated federal privacy laws.

Only two special government employees associated with DOGE, Tom Krause and Marko Elez, are permitted to access Treasury data. This is a significant reduction from broader access previously granted.

The move follows legal objections raised across Washington about whether Musk's assault on government operations was breaking the law, with officials in multiple federal agencies expressing concerns over the legality of DOGE's actions.

DOGE was established by President Trump and led by Elon Musk, who holds the status of a "special government employee," meaning he is not a full-time federal worker and has a limited employment period.

There has been vocal opposition from Democrats in Congress and public protests against the access granted to DOGE, with concerns over Musk's influence and transparency issues. However, Republicans, who control both chambers, have not moved to rein in DOGE's activities.

DOGE's mandate includes identifying and eliminating wasteful government spending with the goal of reducing the federal deficit by at least $1 trillion, which would require significant daily budget cuts.

The restrictions on DOGE's access to Treasury data are set to remain in place until a hearing scheduled for February 24, 2025, pending approval by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.

This action is part of a broader context where Musk's involvement in government functions has led to tensions, including privacy concerns, transparency issues, and potential conflicts of interest due to his business empire.