Court Blocks DOGE Data Access, Layoffs Face Challenges

The Trump administration, through Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is seeking Supreme Court approval to gain broader access to Social Security data, arguing that it is necessary to combat fraud and waste. Multiple federal courts, including a divided Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, have blocked DOGE's access to unredacted data, allowing only redacted or anonymized information with oversight and training due to privacy concerns and legal limits. Legal challenges are being led by labor unions, retiree groups, Bay Area counties, and nonprofits, who argue that DOGE's actions threaten privacy and exceed executive authority. The administration's restructuring efforts have resulted in mass layoffs and agency closures, disrupting essential public health, scientific, and emergency response services, especially at the local level. Plaintiffs contend these workforce reductions are unlawful without congressional approval and have already caused harm to affected communities. The outcomes of these disputes may set important precedents for executive power over federal data access and agency restructuring.