GREENBELT, Md. — On Monday, a federal judge granted a temporary injunction preventing two government agencies from sharing sensitive personal records with representatives of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk.
U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, based in Greenbelt, Maryland, determined that both the Department of Education and the Office of Personnel Management likely breached the Privacy Act by providing personal information without individuals’ consent to DOGE. This decision came after legal representatives for various unions and organizations, advocating for current and former federal employees, filed a request for a temporary restraining order.
In her ruling, Judge Boardman emphasized that her order does not obstruct President Donald Trump from implementing the administration’s policies. Instead, she noted it specifically limits the disclosure of plaintiffs’ personal information to DOGE associates who, based on the existing record, do not have a valid reason to access such data in relation to their official duties.
Sensitive information potentially disclosed to DOGE members included bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, birth dates, and home addresses. According to Boardman, this data could have been utilized to establish a detailed overview of the plaintiffs’ personal, professional, or financial situations. She remarked that “the ongoing unauthorized sharing of sensitive personal information to DOGE affiliates constitutes irreparable harm which cannot be addressed with monetary compensation.”
The lawsuit’s plaintiffs comprise several labor organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers, the National Active Retired Federal Employees Association, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. AFT President Randi Weingarten referred to Judge Boardman’s ruling as an important measure establishing a barrier between those who illegitimately access Americans’ personal data and the appropriate use of that data.
Weingarten stated, “We initiated this lawsuit to protect individual privacy, as citizens trust that when they provide sensitive information to the federal government — such as for college financial aid or student loans — it will be safeguarded and utilized as intended rather than repurposed for external agendas.”
Meanwhile, Musk has been spearheading Trump’s initiatives aimed at reworking and streamlining government operations. Just recently, Musk asserted that federal employees must justify their productivity or face potential termination. This sparked a legal response in California from employee advocates who contend this practice infringes upon legal regulations. Trump, on his part, has supported Musk’s approach, arguing such measures are crucial for eliminating fraud, waste, and inefficiency within the federal sector.
