Attorney General Keith Ellison, alongside 18 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges the administration's decision to grant Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system. This system contains sensitive personal information, including bank account details and Social Security numbers.
Ellison expressed concern over this expanded access, stating that it could enable Musk and his team to block federal funds essential for healthcare, childcare, and other critical services. "Today, I filed a lawsuit seeking to end Elon Musk’s access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system," Ellison said. He emphasized that such information is heavily restricted by law due to potential misuse consequences.
The policy in question was implemented on February 2, 2025, allowing "special government employees" like Musk and DOGE members access to the Bureau of Fiscal Services' central payment system. This system manages funding crucial for Social Security payments, veteran benefits, Medicare and Medicaid payments, among others.
Access is typically limited by federal law to career civil servants with proper security clearances. Ellison and his coalition argue that this new policy violates the law and threatens Americans' privacy by potentially allowing unauthorized political appointees control over vital federal funds.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction against the Trump administration's policy change and a declaration of its unconstitutionality. Attorneys general from states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin have joined Ellison in this legal action.