Court Blocks Musk’s DOGE Team from Education Department Loan Data
Lawyers Representing Trump Administration Agree to Temporarily Halt Access to Student Loan and Financial Aid Information
Lawyers representing the Trump administration agreed Tuesday to temporarily stop the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing student loan and financial aid information after a University of California group filed a federal lawsuit seeking a halt to the actions.
Temporary Restraining Order in Place
The move, approved by U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss of the District of Columbia, will be in place through Monday as both sides prepare arguments in the case.
Setback for DOGE Associates
The decision marks at least a temporary setback for Musk’s DOGE associates, whom President Trump tapped to slash federal government spending. Democrats accuse the group — not a federal department despite its name — of illegally barreling its way through government agencies.
Restrictions on Access to Student Data
DOGE is still working within the Education Department but will be restricted for less than a week from more than a dozen internal systems related to student data.
Concerns Over DOGE Actions
Concern over DOGE actions grew this week after education researchers and industry groups reported that more than 169 contracts and $900 million in spending were cut from the department’s Institute of Education Sciences. The institute tracks the progress of American students through programs including the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the nation’s report card, and the College Scorecard, a database of university costs and outcomes.
Programs Not Affected by Court Decision
A department spokeswoman said Tuesday that those programs would not be affected by the court decision.
Legal Action by UC Student Association
The UC Student Assn., which represents undergraduates across nine campuses, filed its lawsuit Friday. The suit alleges that the Education Department is violating the Privacy Act of 1974, which broadly bars it from sharing personal information with third parties. The group asked the court to halt DOGE affiliates’ access to student data.
Lawsuit Seeks Halt to DOGE Access
Moss, appointed by President Obama, did not indicate Tuesday that he agreed with the student arguments.
Reaction from Student Advocacy Groups
The National Student Legal Defense Network and the Public Citizen Litigation Group, which are representing the student association, said in a statement that they “look forward to putting a permanent end to these egregious violations. … Millions of students still are questioning whether their personal information is in unsafe hands, and we need answers from the Department of Education to fully account for any data that’s already been breached.”
Conclusion
The court’s decision is a significant setback for DOGE associates, who have been accused of illegally accessing student data. The lawsuit filed by the UC Student Association seeks to halt DOGE’s access to student loan and financial aid information, and the court’s temporary restraining order will remain in place until the case is resolved.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the lawsuit filed by the UC Student Association?
A: The lawsuit seeks to halt DOGE’s access to student loan and financial aid information, alleging that the Education Department is violating the Privacy Act of 1974 by sharing personal information with third parties.
Q: What is DOGE?
A: DOGE is the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, which was created to slash federal government spending.
Q: What is the significance of the court’s decision?
A: The court’s decision is a significant setback for DOGE associates, who have been accused of illegally accessing student data, and may have implications for the future of the Education Department and its programs.
