A federal judge ruled Friday that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) can access sensitive systems within the Department of Treasury following a weeks-long legal dispute. U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas approved limited access for one DOGE team member, Ryan Wunderly, allowing him to use Treasury’s sensitive payment and data systems—provided he completes required training and submits a financial disclosure.
Vargas’ Friday ruling came nearly two months after she blocked DOGE from the systems amid a legal challenge from blue state attorneys general. “The Court hereby modifies the PI Order to permit Defendants to grant Ryan Wunderly access to Treasury Department payment records, payment systems, and any other data systems maintained by the Treasury Department containing personally identifiable information and/or confidential financial information of payees, PROVIDED THAT (i) Wunderly first completes any hands-on training in such systems that is typically required of other Treasury employees granted commensurate access; and (ii) that Wunderly first submits his OGE 278 Financial Disclosure Report,” Vargas wrote.
In February, New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 18 Democratic attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to block DOGE’s access across the federal government. DOGE is leading President Donald Trump’s initiative to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, while redirecting federal funds to support his policy agenda.
“Giving the world’s richest man unauthorized access to our nation’s central payment system, and our most sensitive personal information, puts all Americans – and the essential funds they depend on – at risk,” James said in February. “With this illegal power grab, Musk and DOGE are trying to wipe out vital programs and services – from health care to public safety to education – that our communities need.”
James’ lawsuit contended that access to Treasury systems—which contain vast amounts of sensitive personal information—should be limited strictly to trained career civil servants. In response, the Trump administration argued that only two DOGE team members had been granted access and that both had undergone at least some level of training.
The ruling comes as DOGE continues its audits of payments and systems throughout the federal government. On Thursday, the agency announced that a preliminary review of unemployment claims uncovered $382 million in potentially fraudulent payments—nearly 80% of which originated from three solidly Democratic states: California, New York, and Massachusetts.
