A federal court in the United States has suspended the DOGE team’s access to the Treasury Department’s payment systems, citing serious procedural violations in the approval process. District Judge Janet Vargas, who issued the ruling, pointed to the “chaotic” nature of the department’s actions, which, she noted, could have led to the compromise of sensitive financial data.
The court determined that the process of granting access to systems handling trillions of dollars in government payments was conducted hastily and without adequate safeguards. According to Judge Vargas, the Treasury Department acted “arbitrarily and capriciously,” disregarding established procedures. She further observed that department officials had been subjected to undue pressure and lacked the necessary time to develop appropriate oversight measures.
The order, issued on Friday, February 21, prohibits any individuals affiliated with DOGE from utilizing the payment systems until further notice. This ruling moderates a previously stricter restriction, which initially extended to all political appointees.
The decision to grant DOGE access to the payment systems has sparked fierce criticism from Democrats, who argue that it constitutes an attempt to interfere with the distribution of social benefits, tax refunds, and other government disbursements. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended the initiative, asserting that it is intended to enhance the department’s accuracy and operational efficiency.
Earlier this week, the Treasury Department voluntarily agreed to restrict DOGE’s access to tax data, barring the team from viewing taxpayer information. However, Judge Vargas expressed skepticism over the legality and rationale of the department’s actions, emphasizing that the decision to grant DOGE employee Marco Elez full access, rather than a “read-only” mode, exemplifies the recklessness and haste of the process.
Nevertheless, the court has left room for a reassessment of these restrictions. By March 24, the Treasury Department must submit a report detailing how DOGE employees are being trained, how data protection measures are being enforced, and how the chain of command between the White House and the Treasury is being structured within this project.
