California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside a coalition of 13 attorneys general, has voiced concerns over the U.S. Department of the Treasury's decision to allow Elon Musk and his "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) access to sensitive payment systems. These systems contain Americans' personally identifiable information.
"In the past week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has given Elon Musk access to Americans’ personal private information, state bank account data, and other information that is some of our country’s most sensitive data," states the released statement.
The attorneys general argue that this level of access for unauthorized individuals is both "unlawful" and "unprecedented." They assert that DOGE sought this information with intentions to block payments crucial for millions of Americans, affecting healthcare, childcare, and other essential programs.
"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," reads part of their statement. They emphasize that neither President nor any federal entity holds power to distribute private information or cut federal payments unilaterally.
The coalition plans legal action against this move by stating: "In defense of our Constitution, our right to privacy, and the essential funding that individuals and communities nationwide are counting on, we will be filing a lawsuit to stop this injustice."
Alongside California's Attorney General Bonta are representatives from New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island and Vermont who have joined in releasing this joint statement.