Topline
A U.S. district judge in Maryland blocked the Department of Government Efficiency from accessing personal data from the Social Security Administration—delivering the latest legal blow to President Donald Trump and the controversial Elon Musk-led efforts to reduce government inefficiencies and make cuts.
Key Facts
Judge Ellen Hollander granted a temporary restraining order Thursday afternoon that prevents Social Security Administration employees from giving DOGE access to any records that contain personally identifiable information.
Hollander also instructed DOGE to “disgorge and delete” any non-anonymized data it has obtained from the SSA since Trump took office, and said the agency cannot install or access any software in Social Security systems.
DOGE can still access data from the Social Security Administration that has been redacted or anonymized, but Hollander clarified the data can only be given to DOGE members who have “received all training that is typically required of individuals granted access to SSA data systems.”
In a hearing on the matter last Friday, lawyers for the government told the court that SSA has “provided DOGE affiliates with access to a ‘massive amount’ of records” and said that access was needed so DOGE can “search for ‘improper or fraudulent payments’ made by SSA.”
The lawsuit challenging DOGE’s access to sensitive records was brought in February by two national labor groups and one grassroots advocacy organization—the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Alliance for Retired Americans and the American Federation of Teachers.
This story is developing and will be updated.
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Crucial Quote
“The American public may well applaud and support the Trump Administration’s mission to root out fraud, waste, and bloat from federal agencies, including SSA, to the extent it exists. But, by what means and methods?” Hollander wrote in the ruling. “The DOGE Team is essentially engaged in a fishing expedition at SSA, in search of a fraud epidemic, based on little more than suspicion. It has launched a search for the proverbial needle in the haystack, without any concrete knowledge that the needle is actually in the haystack.”
What Is Personally Identifiable Information In Social Security Records?
Hollander’s ruling stated some personal information included in the Social Security Administration’s records include: “Social Security numbers, personal medical and mental health records, driver’s license information, bank account data, tax information, earnings history, birth and marriage records, home and work addresses, school records, immigration and/or naturalization records, health care providers’ contact information, family court records, and employment and employer records.”
Further Reading
Federal judge blocks DOGE from accessing Social Security personal information for now (Associated Press)