Attorney General Dan Rayfield, alongside 18 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The legal action aims to halt what they describe as unauthorized access to Americans' private and sensitive information.
Rayfield stated, "What we're facing is a President and a billionaire who think they are above the rule of law." He emphasized Oregon's commitment to safeguarding the integrity of national financial systems.
The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration unlawfully allowed Elon Musk and an entity known as the "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)" access to the Treasury Department's central payment system. This alleged breach potentially exposes personal data, including bank account details and Social Security numbers.
According to the coalition, this access could enable Musk and his team to disrupt federal funding for essential services such as health care and childcare. They are seeking to prevent further implementation of this policy which they argue illegally grants DOGE, Musk, and others access to confidential information.
Rayfield commented on the gravity of the situation: "This is an administration that thrives on chaos. This is reckless and an unparalleled breach of national security and financial integrity." He warned about potential catastrophic consequences from unauthorized access to critical economic infrastructure.
The attorneys general are requesting an injunction against continuing this policy change by the Treasury Department. They also seek a legal declaration deeming it unlawful and unconstitutional.
In addition to Rayfield from Oregon, attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin have joined in filing this lawsuit.