By Charles Switzer
1:52am PDT, Mar 22, 2025
Judge Halts DOGE's Access to SSA Data
On Thursday, March 20, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), blocking
Elon Musk's cost-cutting team from accessing sensitive personal information housed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the
New York Post reported.
District Judge
Ellen Hollander, based in Maryland, described DOGE's probe into potential misuse of funds as overreaching, referring to it as a "fishing expedition."
She ordered DOGE to delete any personal data they had obtained and to remove any software installed on SSA systems.
Keep reading for more on what went down…
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Limits on Sensitive Information and Judicial Skepticism
Judge Ellen Hollander's order instructed SSA officials to restrict DOGE's access to databases containing personal details such as Social Security numbers, medical records, and tax documents.
"The American public may well applaud and support the
Donald 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?" she wrote in her order.
She permitted only anonymized or redacted data to be shared for the duration of the 14-day injunction. In her 134-page ruling, Hollander also questioned the foundation of DOGE's investigation, suggesting the team lacked concrete evidence and was searching aimlessly for wrongdoing within SSA's vast system.
Criticism of DOGE's Investigative Approach
In her analysis, Ellen Hollander expressed concern about the scope and methods of DOGE's data collection. She noted the administration had not provided a clear reason for DOGE's need to access the entire SSA database, which contains private information for millions of Americans.
Comparing DOGE's tactics to "hitting a fly with a sledgehammer," she emphasized the risk posed by granting such extensive access without justification or oversight.
Union Response and Security Concerns
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by
labor unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Union leaders expressed relief, arguing that the Musk-aligned DOGE team had improperly accessed data belonging to countless Americans.
AFSCME President
Lee Saunders celebrated the court's intervention, calling it a victory for both public-sector workers and retirees.
According to the Donald Trump admin, seven of the ten DOGE members at SSA had read-only access, a level they claimed was comparable to that of other federal staff.
Leadership Shakeup and SSA's Compliance
Internal tensions over DOGE's role led to the resignation of SSA's former acting commissioner, Michelle King, who reportedly objected to the team's encroachment on agency operations. She was succeeded by Leland Dudek, a DOGE supporter who has since closed several SSA offices, affecting hundreds of employees.
Following the court ruling, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed that SSA would comply with the judge's order.
