Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul of Wisconsin have announced the state's participation in a lawsuit involving 19 states against the Trump administration. The legal action aims to halt what is claimed to be unauthorized access to Americans' private data by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration unlawfully granted access to the Treasury Department's central payment system, which contains sensitive personal information like bank account details and Social Security numbers.
Governor Evers stated, "Wisconsinites expect the federal government to treat their Social Security numbers, bank account information, and other sensitive personal details with the highest level of protection and confidentiality—and that obligation doesn’t go out the window just because Elon Musk says it should." He emphasized that granting political appointees such access is illegal.
Attorney General Kaul added, "Donald Trump has put the whims of Elon Musk ahead of Americans’ privacy and security. We’ve gone to court to address this outrageous situation and to protect the American people."
The new policy from February 2, 2025, allows "special government employees," including Musk and DOGE members, access to critical systems operated by the Bureau of Fiscal Services (BFS). This includes control over funds essential for Social Security payments, veterans' benefits, Medicare and Medicaid payments. It also affects state funding for services such as law enforcement and public education.
The coalition claims this policy violates federal law by expanding BFS access beyond authorized career civil servants with necessary security clearances. They argue it endangers Americans' personal data and enables unauthorized political figures to potentially freeze federal funds unconstitutionally.
In response, Wisconsin and its allies seek an injunction against this policy change along with a declaration deeming it unlawful. Other states involved in filing include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.