CNN
–
A federal judge cites the risk of “irreparable harm” and is temporarily restricting Elon Musk’s government efficiency team from accessing the critical Treasury payment system.
The judge’s order, issued early Saturday, temporarily brought access to sensitive payment systems that distribute American tax returns, Social Security benefits, disability payments and federal employee pay. It will stop.
US District Judge Paul Engelmeyer has ordered the destruction of information downloaded from the payment system from anyone accessed on or after January 20th. The problem is that it’s more vulnerable than it was before. ”
A hearing on the issue was set for February 14th.
The White House called Saturday’s order “a judicial overreach.”
“The efficiency of the epic government speaks about the amount of people who delay much needed changes with legal shenanigans than they work with the Trump administration to remove waste, fraud and abuse. “White House spokesman Harrison Fields told CNN in a statement.
Engelmeyer’s ruling responded to a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration by New York State Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other state attorney generals.
Trump and Musk have overturned the federal workforce in their quest to scale back government, sparking confusion, fear and rage, and multiple lawsuits that urged judicial action.
Musk also provided access defense in a social media post on Saturday, saying Doge and the Treasury Department had “jointly agreed” to requirements related to government payments. Pass a financial audit. ”
“The very obvious and necessary changes mentioned above have been implemented by existing longtime career government officials, not by anyone at @Doge. It’s ridiculous that these changes don’t exist yet!” Musk said Added.
Saturday’s order came shortly after another court ruling that temporarily blocked the administration’s attempts to dismantle the U.S. International Development Agency.
The federal judge also suspended the Thursday deadline for the administration’s so-called takeover offer, while more procedures have been made regarding the legality of the program. It stopped the widespread freezing of federal spending, following the previous federal court ruling.
The lawsuit from the Attorney General alleges that it claims a team led by Musk, led by Young Associates, classified as “special government officials.”
The efforts by what the Trump administration calls the government efficiency (DOGE Bureau) are aimed at significantly reducing government costs, but as CNN, the CNN has made it important to include financial payment systems, including the financial payment system. We are seeking access to computer systems. It was reported previously.
Doge’s actions fired tension political debate and emergency court cases over access to the system and the administration’s potential interest in using it to turn off payments. I put it on.
“The actions of Doge members present unique security risks to the states and residents of the states where the data is held,” the lawsuit states.
The payment system serves more than 250 federal agencies and is a conduit of an extraordinary range of critical personal payments. It is at the heart of the US government’s activities and the lives of millions of Americans.
The administration’s efforts have attracted unions and protesters who are concerned about the rage of Democrat senators and the invasion of musk into private data from US citizens.
Musk and his Doge team are trying to disrupt or access many government neurological centres, including heads of federal workforce, real estate portfolio, computer systems and record management.
The first move by the Trump administration to overturn the federal government after the president froze most foreign aid was felt most sharply in USAID.
Later Friday, when USAID is involved, another federal judge ordered the Trump administration to suspend plans to entrust at least 2,200 employees to administrative leave, with the temporary 500 other workers suspended. I requested recovery.
This story has been updated with additional information.
