Judge Denies Request to Restrict DOGE Treasury Access

A federal judge has ruled in favor of Elon Musk’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), finding no security threat in granting DOGE access to Treasury data, while a separate court order continues to block access over unresolved concerns.

Key Takeaways

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly denied a request to block DOGE from accessing Treasury data, ruling that plaintiffs failed to demonstrate irreparable harm
A separate order from Judge Jeannette Vargas in New York still blocks DOGE’s access to Treasury systems pending proper security vetting and training
The DOGE initiative reports achieving $105 billion in savings through various government reforms
The dual rulings highlight ongoing tensions between government efficiency efforts and data security concerns
Multiple lawsuits against DOGE have resulted in restricted access to several federal departments including Education, Labor, and the IRS

Washington Judge Rules in Favor of DOGE Treasury Access

A federal judge in Washington has declined to block President Trump’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing data at the Department of the Treasury in a significant legal victory for the administration’s efficiency initiative. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled against advocacy and union groups that had sought to restrict DOGE’s access over concerns that private information could be improperly shared or disclosed. The lawsuit was one of several legal challenges facing DOGE, which was established to eliminate wasteful spending and streamline government operations.

In her ruling, Judge Kollar-Kotelly acknowledged the plaintiffs’ concerns as “understandable and no doubt widely shared” but determined they had failed to demonstrate that immediate and irreparable harm would result from DOGE’s access to Treasury data. The judge has lifted her earlier restrictions on DOGE’s access while making it clear that the situation could be reassessed if evidence emerges of plans to misuse sensitive information. This decision represents a partial victory for the Trump administration’s government efficiency initiatives.

U.S. Court grants Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency access to federal treasury data

A federal judge has denied the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction, allowing DOGE to regain access to confidential U.S. Treasury data, including information on salaries, Social… pic.twitter.com/gmze12Gfs1

— First Source Report (@FirstSourceNew) March 9, 2025

New York Court Order Still Blocks Access

Despite the favorable ruling in Washington, DOGE remains unable to access Treasury systems due to a separate order issued by Judge Jeannette Vargas in New York. Following a lawsuit filed by 19 Democratic attorneys general, Judge Vargas has barred DOGE staff from accessing the Treasury’s Fiscal Service pending resolution of security concerns. The conflicting rulings from different federal courts have created a complex legal landscape for the administration’s efficiency efforts, highlighting the tensions between streamlining government operations and ensuring data security.

“Indeed, taking the time to adequately mitigate potential security concerns and properly onboard members to engage in this work outweighs the defendants’ immediate need to access and redevelop [the] Treasury system,” wrote U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas in her ruling. “Without addressing these issues, the potential consequences of a cybersecurity breach could be catastrophic.”

Judge Vargas’s order cited insufficient vetting and training of DOGE staff as primary concerns, though she left open the possibility of lifting restrictions if proper security clearances are obtained. The New York order specifically blocked access to the Treasury’s Fiscal Service system, which handles payment processing and financial management for the federal government. These security concerns emerged after one of the two DOGE employees previously granted read-only access to Treasury systems resigned following controversy over social media posts.

Broader Legal Challenges to DOGE’s Authority

The Treasury Department case is just one of several legal battles facing DOGE. Courts have also blocked the efficiency team from accessing data at the Department of Education, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Labor. DOGE’s access to IRS data is also being challenged in separate litigation. These legal restrictions have complicated the Trump administration’s ambitious efficiency agenda, which claims to have already identified $105 billion in potential savings through various reforms.

“If Plaintiffs could show that Defendants imminently planned to make their private information public or to share that information with individuals outside the federal government with no obligation to maintain its confidentiality, the Court would not hesitate to find a likelihood of irreparable harm,” noted U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in her ruling. “But on the present record, Plaintiffs have not shown that Defendants have such a plan.”

The dual-track legal proceedings highlight the unprecedented nature of DOGE’s mission and authority. Trump administration officials defend the department as essential to improving government efficiency and eliminating wasteful spending, while critics express concerns about oversight, security protocols, and the department’s relatively undefined role. As these legal challenges proceed, DOGE’s ability to fulfill its mandate remains partially constrained by court orders across multiple jurisdictions.