Trump authorities petition the Supreme Court to reinstate Doge's access to Social Security records
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) finds itself at the centre of a heated dispute, with concerns about its practices coming to light. The case, initiated by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Alliance for Retired Americans, and the American Federation of Teachers, has raised questions about the DOGE's access to Social Security Administration (SSA) records.
Recent evidence has revealed irregularities in DOGE's data access practices. It has been alleged that DOGE staff were granted data access without formal SSA hiring, background checks, or proper training. This has raised concerns about the security and privacy of personal records.
The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to restore the DOGE's access to SSA records, with Solicitor General John Sauer making the request on Friday. The administration argues that broader access to SSA records is critical for DOGE's mission to modernize government IT systems. However, the plaintiffs in the case are argued by the administration to lack standing.
The emergency request follows two court defeats that limited DOGE's authority. In March, U.S. District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander ruled against DOGE and ordered the SSA to cut off access and delete any collected personal data. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the government's request to restore DOGE's access in a 9-6 decision on April 30.
Judges noted that DOGE's privileges exceeded those of even senior SSA officials. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals also noted that established procedures existed to protect sensitive records, but DOGE was given broad access outside these safeguards.
Chief Justice John Roberts is involved in the case, and a decision on whether to temporarily lift the access ban could follow soon after. The plaintiffs have been asked to respond by May 12, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has been asked to respond by the same date regarding the access ban for DOGE.
The legal fight began when the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Alliance for Retired Americans, and the American Federation of Teachers sued the government. The case remains ongoing, with both sides presenting their arguments in the pursuit of ensuring the protection of sensitive data and the efficient functioning of the government.
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