New York Attorney General Letitia James has initiated a legal challenge against the Trump administration, leading a coalition of 18 attorneys general. The lawsuit aims to halt what they describe as unauthorized access to Americans' private information by Elon Musk and an entity known as the "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)." According to Attorney General James, this access could potentially allow interference with federal funds allocated for essential services such as healthcare and childcare.
Attorney General James stated, “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.” She further emphasized that President Trump lacks the authority to distribute Americans' private information arbitrarily or disrupt federally approved payments. The lawsuit seeks to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and prevent any unconstitutional actions affecting critical funding.
The issue arose after a policy change on February 2, 2025, by the Treasury Department under Trump's administration. This policy reportedly grants "special government employees," including Musk and DOGE members, access to the central payment system managed by the Bureau of Fiscal Services (BFS). This system oversees crucial payments like Social Security and veteran benefits.
Federal law restricts BFS access to specific career civil servants with proper security clearances. The coalition argues that expanding this access violates legal statutes and endangers personal information security. They seek a court injunction against continuing this policy and demand a declaration deeming it unlawful.
The states joining New York in this legal effort include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The case management involves several special counsels under First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy's supervision.