New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a significant legal development today following a federal judge's decision to grant her motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO). This order came shortly after she led a coalition of 18 other attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against Elon Musk and his "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) to prevent them from accessing Americans' private information.
The court's decision effectively blocks Musk and DOGE employees from accessing sensitive personal data, including state bank account details. They are also required to destroy any records they have already obtained. James emphasized the public concern by stating, “From the moment Elon Musk and his DOGE employees gained unprecedented access to our personal private data, state bank account details, and other sensitive information, Americans across the country have been horrified.”
James noted that over a thousand New Yorkers expressed fear about losing their privacy and essential community funding due to this interference. She added, “We knew the Trump administration’s choice to give this access to unauthorized individuals was illegal, and this morning, a federal court agreed.”
The issue arose when the U.S. Department of the Treasury implemented a policy allowing "special government employees," including Musk and DOGE staffers, access to its central payment system. This system manages vital funds for Social Security payments, veterans’ benefits, Medicare and Medicaid payments among others.
Yesterday's lawsuit aimed at stopping what James termed as an unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data was joined by attorneys general from 18 states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Wisconsin.
A federal judge ruled that these states were likely to succeed on their statutory claims and would face irreparable harm without immediate intervention. The case will continue with arguments scheduled for February 14th regarding a preliminary injunction.
This matter is being managed by Special Counsel Andrew Amer along with colleagues Colleen K. Faherty Rabia Muqaddam Stephen Thompson Nyna Sargent under Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux oversight from First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.