Judge Temporarily Blocks Elon Musk's Access to U.S. Treasury Payment Systems

Federal court cites security risks and potential harm in halting Musk-led commission's control over sensitive Treasury data.

A U.S. federal judge issued an emergency order on February 8, 2025, barring Elon Musk and his team from accessing sensitive financial data held by the Treasury Department until a February 14 hearing.
The decision follows concerns from 19 state attorneys general who argue that expanding access to Treasury systems under the Trump administration violates legal safeguards.
The judge mandated the immediate destruction of any downloaded Treasury data, citing risks of data breaches and increased vulnerability to cyberattacks.
Musk and his team had recently taken control of the Treasury’s payment systems as part of a commission aimed at reducing public spending, a move criticized by Democrats and unions as dangerous and unlawful.
An internal Treasury memo labeled this access as the 'greatest internal threat' the department has ever faced, raising alarms over potential misuse and national security implications.