A federal judge on Friday extended an earlier decision to ban employees with the Government's Department of Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing the Treasury's delicate federal payment system.
US District Judge Jeannette Vargas partially granted the request of the 19 Democratic Attorney Generals, suing to block the Doge team from the Finance Bureau. The system processes 90% of federal payments.
However, Vargas narrowed down her previous decisions. It banned all political appointees and special government officials except Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent and other Senate-certified senior division leaders.
Instead of trying to block certain categories of employees like before, the Democratic attorney general has called on the Trump administration to ban the development of the process.
Vargas rejected the request and failed to show that the state “is entitled to the broad and broad relief they seek.”
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is part of the lawsuit, described Friday's decision as “a rule of law and a victory over the Nevadans.”
“In our country, we have systems that ensure that governments operate smoothly and that citizens are protected. I would illegally skirt those protections, or dismantle the check and balance systems. We will fight against the efforts we make,” Ford said in a statement.
“By making Doge staff accessible to Treasury data, President Trump broke the law and puts personal personal information from Nevadan and Americans at risk,” he added.
Vargas blocked Doge staff from accessing the payment system for now, but she eventually laid out a process where she could grant access.
The judge manages to certify that by March 24th that Treasury Doge team members receive the necessary training to access financial services and provide details regarding review and security clearance, among other requirements. I ordered the staff.
Vargas said it will decide whether to lift the injunction or change it.
In another lawsuit Friday, another federal judge denied similar requests from a nonprofit organization that Doge employees can access the data system both at the Treasury Department and the Department of Personnel Management.
“Given the extraordinary nature of the remedy and the speculative and attenuated nature of the potential harm facing plaintiffs, the court would be able to issue injunctive relief based on previous current records. I can't do it.”
