Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The legal action aims to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of Americans' private information and sensitive data.
The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration unlawfully provided Elon Musk and the "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)" access to the Treasury Department's central payment system. This access potentially exposes Americans' personal information, such as bank account details and Social Security numbers. The coalition seeks to block this access, arguing it could allow Musk and his team to withhold federal funds from states and programs offering essential services like healthcare and childcare.
"Americans are increasingly concerned with bad actors gaining unauthorized access to their most sensitive personal information, and now their own government is contributing to that concern," said Attorney General Neronha. He emphasized the importance of compliance with federal law regarding security clearances for accessing sensitive information.
The controversy began on February 2, 2025, when the Trump administration's Treasury Department implemented a policy granting "special government employees," including Elon Musk and DOGE members, access to its central payment system managed by the Bureau of Fiscal Services (BFS). This system oversees crucial funding for millions of Americans through programs such as Social Security, veterans benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, and more. It also controls significant state funding for services like law enforcement and public education.
Federal law restricts BFS access to select career civil servants who have appropriate security clearances. The lawsuit filed in New York's Southern District seeks to stop unauthorized individuals from accessing this system in violation of constitutional and legal provisions.
The coalition is requesting an injunction against the Trump administration's expanded BFS access policy and a declaration deeming DOGE's access unlawful.
Joining Attorney General Neronha are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin.