Treasury, Bessent Sued for Giving Access of Sensitive Information to DOGE

Treasury officials are accused of illegally granting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE, headed by Elon Musk, access to sensitive financial data. A new lawsuit by major unions challenges the Trump administration’s push to modernize government technology and cut government waste.

Key Facts:

  • Union groups like the AFL-CIO and the Alliance for Retired Americans filed suit against Treasury on Monday.
  • The complaint alleges that Musk’s DOGE team gained access to personal and financial records.
  • The Treasury Department and DOGE have not yet commented publicly on the allegations.
  • President Trump confirmed that Musk is serving as a special government employee with limited powers.
  • The lawsuit is filed as Alliance for Retired Americans v. Bessent in the US District Court in Washington, D.C.

The Rest of The Story:

Union leaders claim Treasury violated federal law by allowing DOGE to see taxpayer and employee records without proper authorization.

The lawsuit argues that the alleged access is “massive and unprecedented,” raising privacy concerns.

President Trump has said Musk can only monitor federal payments rather than stop them. However, union lawyers say the new arrangement leads to fears that private data on taxpayers, government workers, and businesses could be compromised.

According to the lawsuit, the group’s access expanded after a senior Treasury official resigned.

In another incident, employees at the US Agency for International Development faced administrative leave after stopping DOGE staff from viewing classified materials.

Treasury’s top officials have yet to release details on the extent of DOGE’s reach.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended Elon Musk in a statement, calling him a selfless public servant who has respected federal regulations.

Commentary:

DOGE appears to be a promising new force to cut down on wasteful spending, considering Elon Musk’s track record of streamlining operations.

By uncovering major inefficiencies in just two weeks, DOGE could save taxpayers a substantial amount of money.

However, there are valid worries about how much data the group can see without strict oversight.

It seems wise for President Trump to keep close watch over DOGE’s activities and maintain transparency, so that American citizens remain protected and the group’s mission stays on course.

The Bottom Line:

This legal conflict shows the tension between improving federal operations and safeguarding sensitive information.

All eyes are on the courts and the Trump administration to see how they balance these competing needs.

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