A significant lawsuit has been initiated by leading teachers' unions and allied labor groups against three Trump administration agencies to prevent billionaire Elon Musk's government-efficiency operation, DOGE, from accessing sensitive federal data.
The Allegations
The American Federation of Teachers, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the National Federation of Federal Employees have filed a suit in a Maryland federal court, claiming that the Treasury Department has exposed the contents of a government system containing records on Americans' tax refunds and Social Security benefits.
Moreover, the labor groups have accused the Education Department of improperly disclosing information in its national student loan data system, which includes sensitive financial records for nearly 43 million borrowers. Additionally, they allege that the federal Office of Personnel Management has granted DOGE representatives access to information on millions of current and former federal employees, as well as federal job applicants.
The Legal Challenge
This legal action, supported by the nonprofit advocacy group Protect Democracy and the Munger, Tolles & Olson law firm, represents a significant challenge to the broad access and authority granted to the Department of Government Efficiency since Trump's inauguration.
The lawsuit contends that the unrestricted access to sensitive government record systems poses a threat to the maintenance of critical systems and compromises the safety and security of personal identifying information for Americans nationwide. It also alleges violations of federal law, particularly the federal Privacy Act of 1974, due to the government's disclosures to DOGE.
Call for Action
The complaint seeks a federal judge's intervention to halt the government agencies from allowing DOGE representatives further access to sensitive information. It also demands the Trump administration to retrieve or ensure the destruction of any unlawfully disclosed records.
AFT President Randi Weingarten expressed concerns over the breach of privacy and fundamental freedoms, stating that Americans' private personal and financial data are being compromised. Musk's DOGE has been actively involved in efforts to reduce parts of the federal government, prompting strong reactions from union leaders who emphasize the importance of congressional oversight and accountability.
As the legal battle unfolds, it raises questions about data security, government transparency, and the role of private entities in public affairs. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.