You no, there is a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things. Trump et al seem intent on being as nasty as possible in everything they do.
Intentions matter and since Trump et al love to brag about their exploits, it' fairly easy to draw a line from stated intentions through follow-up to harm.
At least no one is pretending to be anything other than exactly who and what they are now.
A federal judge early Saturday morning blocked Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive Treasury Department records that contain Americans' personal data such Social Security numbers and band account information.
U.S. Distrcit Judge Paul Englemayer issued the order after 19 Democratic attorneys general sued the Trump administration. The suit, filed in federal court in New York City alleges the Trump administration allowed Musk's team access to the Treasury Department's central payment system, in violation of federal law.
The payment system DOGE was able to gain access to handles payments for tax refunds, Social Security benefits, veterans' benefits and much more. The system is responsible for sending out trillions of dollars every year and contains a expansive network of Americans' personal and financial data.
In a statement to the AP, New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office filed the lawsuit, said DOGE’s access to the Treasury Department’s data raises security problems and the possibility for an illegal freeze in federal funds.© Getty Images
Trump charged Musk's so called Department of Government Efficiency, often referred to as DOGE, with discovering and eliminating what The White House has deemed to be wasteful government spending.
DOGE’s access to Treasury records, as well as its inspection of various government agencies, has ignited widespread concern among critics over the increasing power of Musk, while supporters have cheered at the idea of reining in bloated government finances.
In a statement to the AP, New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office filed the lawsuit, said DOGE’s access to the Treasury Department’s data raises security problems and the possibility for an illegal freeze in federal funds.
“President Trump does not have the power to give away Americans’ private information to anyone he chooses, and he cannot cut federal payments approved by Congress,” said James, a Democrat who has been one of Trump’s chief antagonists. “Musk and DOGE have no authority to access Americans’ private information and some of our country’s most sensitive data.”
Also on the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
A federal judge on Friday also temporality blocked the Trump administration's effort to place 2,200 from the United States Agency of International Development on paid leave.© AFP via Getty Images
A federal judge on Friday also temporality blocked the Trump administration's effort to place 2,200 from the United States Agency of International Development on paid leave.
The workers associations argue that Trump lacks the authority for his swift dismantling of a six-decade-old aid agency enshrined in congressional legislation.