DOGE Staffer’s Security Breach Spurs Legal and Oversight Challenges

Marko Elez violated Treasury rules by emailing unencrypted personal data, prompting lawsuits and restrictions on DOGE’s access to sensitive government systems.

Marko Elez, a DOGE staffer, violated Treasury Department policies by sending unencrypted personal data to Trump administration officials without prior approval.
The spreadsheet contained low-risk personally identifiable information, such as names and transaction details, but no Social Security numbers or birth dates.
The incident led to a federal court restricting DOGE’s access to Treasury systems, with the Justice Department considering steps to lift the injunction pending safeguards.
State attorneys general filed lawsuits to block DOGE’s access to sensitive data, citing risks to Americans’ personal and financial information.
Critics argue that DOGE staffers lack adequate training and oversight, raising broader concerns about the agency's handling of sensitive government data.