Democratic AGs Sue Over DOGE Access to Treasury Payment Systems
A coalition of 19 Democratic-led states, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, has sued the Trump administration over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s access to Treasury Department payment systems that distribute trillions of dollars annually.
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit, announced earlier in the week, is the latest legal challenge to billionaire Elon Musk’s plans to reshape and dismantle parts of the federal bureaucracy. “As the richest man in the world, Elon Musk is not used to being told ‘no,’ but in our country, no one is above the law,” James said in a statement.
The States Involved
The states that joined New York in the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Limitations on DOGE Access
In a separate lawsuit, the Justice Department agreed to temporarily limit DOGE’s access to Treasury Department systems. A federal judge in Washington, D.C. allowed two special government employees with ties to DOGE to maintain “read-only” access to the systems while litigation continues. However, one of the employees, 25-year-old Marko Elez, resigned after racist social media posts were exposed by the Wall Street Journal.
Criticisms of DOGE
The attorneys general criticized DOGE and its leadership, accusing them of implanting themselves in the executive branch, agency by agency. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes called DOGE’s access to the Treasury systems a “coup, plain and simple,” while Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford claimed the access was “illegally provided” to Musk and DOGE. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul accused Trump of prioritizing “the whims of Elon Musk” over Americans’ privacy and security.
Conclusion
The lawsuit is one of several legal challenges to DOGE’s plans to slash trillions of dollars in federal spending. The controversy has led to a series of court battles, with more lawsuits expected in the coming weeks.
FAQs
* What is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)?
DOGE is a government agency responsible for streamlining government operations and reducing waste.
* Who is leading the lawsuit against DOGE?
New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading the lawsuit, along with 18 other Democratic-led states.
* What is the purpose of the lawsuit?
The lawsuit is challenging DOGE’s access to Treasury Department payment systems, which distribute trillions of dollars annually.
* Who is involved in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit involves the 19 Democratic-led states, the Justice Department, and two special government employees with ties to DOGE.
