Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has filed a lawsuit alongside a coalition of 19 attorneys general against the Trump administration, aiming to protect Americans’ private data. The suit alleges that the administration illegally granted Elon Musk and the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)” access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system. This access potentially exposes sensitive personal information such as bank account details and Social Security numbers.
The complaint highlights concerns that Musk and his team could misuse this access to block federal funds to states and programs critical to public welfare, including health care and childcare services. This action is part of a broader policy implemented by the Treasury Department on February 2, 2025, which allows “special government employees” like Musk and DOGE members to interact with the Bureau of Fiscal Services (BFS) payment system. The system is crucial for distributing funds for Social Security, veteran’s benefits, and other federal assistance programs.
Typically, access to the BFS is restricted to career civil servants who have the necessary security clearances. The lawsuit argues that the new policy not only breaches federal regulations but also poses a direct threat to the security of American citizens’ most sensitive data, potentially violating constitutional principles.
The coalition, which includes attorneys general from states such as California, New York, and Illinois, seeks an injunction to halt the continuation of this policy and a declaration that the change is both unlawful and unconstitutional. Attorney General Brown emphasized the stakes involved, stating, “Our Office will not allow the federal government to play politics with people’s lives and livelihoods.”
