Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, alongside a coalition of twelve attorneys general, announced plans to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The legal action responds to the recent decision granting Elon Musk and his team at the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) access to sensitive payment systems that house Americans’ personally identifiable information.
The group expressed concern that Musk, known as the world’s richest individual, received authorization to view personal data, state bank account details, and other sensitive information. They argue that this level of access is illegal, unprecedented, and poses a significant threat to privacy and constitutional rights.
The attorneys general emphasized that the President lacks the authority to indiscriminately distribute private data or interrupt federal payments mandated by Congress. They highlighted that the unauthorized access could potentially disrupt crucial payments supporting healthcare, childcare, and other vital services relied upon by millions of Americans.
The states participating in the impending lawsuit include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The coalition stands united in their commitment to safeguarding the Constitution, privacy rights, and essential funding for communities across the nation.
