A recent court order restricting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department data has ignited a firestorm of debate. Nineteen Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit, leading to a temporary restraining order from Judge Paul Engelmayer. This order prevents DOGE, political appointees, and other specified government employees from accessing Treasury payment systems and personally identifiable information until a hearing on February 14th. The lawsuit, spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges that granting DOGE full access to Treasury systems is unlawful.

The order's broad language has drawn criticism, with some legal experts suggesting it may even prevent Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent from reviewing records and systems. This interpretation has fueled accusations of judicial overreach from Republicans. Margot Cleveland, senior legal correspondent for The Federalist, questioned the order's clarity, highlighting its potential to hinder the Treasury Secretary's access to vital information.

Scott Bessent testifies before a Senate Finance Committee. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Conservatives and legal experts have voiced concerns on social media, with some arguing the order only restricts Bessent from granting data access to others, not from accessing it himself. However, the ambiguity remains a point of contention. Cleveland also questioned the attorneys general's standing to challenge DOGE and the Treasury, emphasizing that DOGE's read-only access poses no threat of freezing grants or increasing security risks.

President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

In a letter to Congress, Bessent confirmed DOGE's read-only access and assured that the investigation hasn't disrupted essential payments like Social Security and Medicare. DOGE, under Elon Musk's leadership, has launched an investigation into government overspending and fraud. Following the ruling, Musk claimed DOGE uncovered potential fraud within the Treasury, citing over $100 billion in annual entitlement payments to individuals lacking Social Security numbers or temporary IDs. Musk estimated that roughly half of this amount could represent fraudulent activity.

Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. (Getty Images)

Vice President JD Vance criticized the order, arguing that judges shouldn't interfere with the executive branch's authority. Musk called for Judge Engelmayer's impeachment, accusing him of shielding corruption. The controversy surrounding the order underscores the ongoing tension between the judiciary and the executive branch, particularly concerning DOGE's investigations.

Vice President JD Vance. (Getty Images)