Court refuses to stop DOGE access to confidential information

A federal judge on Friday rejected a request by national unions to halt access by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to millions of confidential records of US citizens, including medical records, financial histories, Social Security numbers, and personal addresses. The decision represents a victory, though not yet a final one, for the government.

Judge John D. Bates, of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., denied the motion for a preliminary injunction filed by the AFL-CIO and other labor organizations against the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services. In its opinion, the plaintiffs failed to show that DOGE's use of such data entailed harm that warranted immediate judicial intervention.

"Absent evidence those personnel will imminently misuse or publicly disclose that information, the Court cannot say that irreparable harm will clearly occur before the Court can make a final determination on the merits," Bates wrote in his ruling.

Court notes sensitivity of information.

While declining to curb access to the data, Bates did not downplay concerns about the confidentiality of the information DOGE has access to. In his ruling, he said the agency handles "some of the most personal information individuals entrust to the government" and warned that, if the unions prove their allegations later in the process, the court could intervene.

"[T]he Court’s concerns are as grave as ever, and it stands ready to remedy plaintiffs’ harm should they ultimately succeed on the merits," he added.

The judge asked both sides to submit a timeline for moving toward summary judgment. The ruling comes on top of other union attempts that have so far failed to impose immediate restraints on DOGE's actions since the process began in February.