Staff Reports
A recent ruling by a federal judge has thrown a wrench in the plans of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), blocking their access to vital Treasury Department records. The decision, made on a Saturday—because apparently, that’s when judicial blockbuster news happens—comes from U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer. This legal saga has been sparked by 19 attorney generals from various states who seem to be more concerned with thwarting the Trump administration than with the actual business of governance.
The court heard this lawsuit brought by the attorney generals of states such as New York, California, and Illinois—places known for their illustrious history of excellent governance and not a hint of overreach. This legislation, directed by the Trump administration, aimed to flip the power switch on access to the payment systems managed by the Bureau of Fiscal Services, letting political appointees peek behind the curtain. Engelmayer noted that the complaint argues this new policy is akin to handing out access cards to a roller coaster without safety checks—a recipe for chaos.
According to Judge Engelmayer, the states allege that this so-called “new policy” violates the Administrative Procedure Act and even throws some serious shade on the crucial principles of separation of powers and the Take Care Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Isn’t it quaint when states get all worked up about constitutional violations? In typical fashion, the judiciary is now playing heavy, ordering that Trump and his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent must keep their hands off the sensitive financial information—that is, unless they’re civil servants who actually need to do their jobs.
I am not worried about it. He’s still going to find out about their corruption. I think that decision will be reversed on appeal. ✌️ Judge Blocks Elon Musk, DOGE, Access to Treasury Department Datahttps://t.co/IUKFiOcvNt pic.twitter.com/1Jxb96FFQv
— ✨Rojas✨ (@mcucolo57) February 9, 2025
The court’s order has made it crystal clear: neither political appointees nor “special government employees” can access any Treasury records that contain personal financial data. So, while other government officials can have access to perform their duties, those associated with the Trump administration are now on a strict ‘can’t touch this’ policy when it comes to the Treasury’s data. Who knew all it took to lock out a few political appointees was a little legal muscle?
For those keeping score, Judge Engelmayer is not alone in this legal romp; the case has been handed off to U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas, a Biden appointee. This case could spiral into a partisan showdown, with some eagerly anticipating a dramatic courtroom clash over what seems like yet another instance of heavy-handed governmental oversight. In typical beltway style, it seems everyone is itching to chase down the slippery notion of “government efficiency” while just piling on more bureaucracy. One can only wonder how long it will take before they realize that the real efficiency might just come from stepping aside and letting business happen without a mountain of red tape.
