California Attorney General Rob Bonta has initiated legal action against the Trump Administration over a decision to extend access to data managed by the Treasury Department's Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS). The lawsuit, supported by 19 attorneys general, contends that this executive move permits individuals linked with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to obtain Americans' personal information, such as bank account and social security numbers. The legal challenge aims to immediately cease unauthorized access while proceedings continue.
"President Trump’s and the Treasury Department’s actions to allow DOGE access to Americans’ private information is chilling and unconstitutional — and Americans are paying attention," stated Attorney General Bonta. "Millions entrust the federal government to carry out vital operations that people rely on every day. In doing so, we also entrust them with our sensitive and personal information. This week’s action is a breach of that trust and a gross and blatant power grab. The President does not hold the power to give Americans’ bank account and social security numbers to anyone he’d like. I am proud to stand with attorneys general around the country to demand the immediate halt to this violation of both trust and law."
Since Inauguration Day, DOGE has reportedly infiltrated executive agencies aiming at reducing federal funding, services, and personnel. Recent reports indicate billionaire Elon Musk and his associates in DOGE have gained unprecedented access to critical U.S. Treasury payment systems containing sensitive data like social security numbers.
The BFS-managed Treasury Department payment systems handle trillions in U.S. government payments crucial for services such as healthcare, childcare, Social Security, Medicare benefits, veteran's benefits, salaries for federal employees, and tax refunds. These systems have traditionally been highly regulated due to their importance but are now perceived as vulnerable under Donald Trump's administration.
The complaint filed asserts that there is no constitutional or statutory basis for expanding BFS system access for political appointees or special government employees affiliated with DOGE. Consequently, the attorneys general seek both a temporary restraining order for immediate cessation of this practice and a permanent injunction preventing non-Treasury political appointees from accessing BFS systems or private identifying information.
Attorney General Bonta is joined in this lawsuit by counterparts from New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Wisconsin.