Judge Temporarily Blocks Elon Musk's DOGE Team from U.S. Treasury Payment System

The court cited risks to sensitive data and potential hacking vulnerabilities, while Musk and the Trump administration defend the program as a cost-cutting measure.

A federal judge issued an emergency order halting Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team from accessing the U.S. Treasury's payment system, citing risks of data breaches and hacking vulnerabilities.
The payment system handles critical disbursements, including Social Security, tax refunds, and federal salaries, making it a vital component of government operations.
The lawsuit, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other state attorneys general, alleges Musk's team was unlawfully granted access to sensitive systems and data.
Musk and the Trump administration argue that DOGE's access is essential for identifying and reducing government waste, fraud, and abuse, despite concerns over privacy and security.
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for February 14, as questions remain about the administration's compliance with the court's order to destroy any data already accessed by DOGE.

The Sydney Morning Herald