Trump Directs Efforts to Bar Musk from Testifying in DOGE Data-Access Lawsuit
In a controversy that continues to roil U.S. politics and governance, former President Donald Trump has reportedly taken measures aimed at preventing Elon Musk from testifying in a high-stakes lawsuit over data access by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The legal battle centers on whether Musk’s DOGE — a Trump-era initiative — improperly gained access to sensitive Treasury Department systems.
The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general, alleges that MUSK’s DOGE team was granted unauthorized access to the Treasury’s payment systems, giving them visibility into highly personal financial records, including Social Security numbers and bank account information.
Last year, U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction. He prohibited DOGE personnel from accessing the Treasury’s payment system and ordered the destruction of any data they had already downloaded.
Adding to the legal drama, several states argued that Musk’s role in DOGE violates the constitutional requirement for Senate confirmation — contending that his power over government operations lacks democratic legitimacy. A federal judge has allowed those lawsuits to move forward.
Now, Trump’s reported move to block Musk’s testimony could reshape the case significantly. Critics say it raises serious questions about transparency and accountability — suggesting that powerful figures might be shielding themselves from legal scrutiny. On the other side, the Trump-Musk alliance maintains that DOGE’s mission is to root out wasteful government spending and make federal agencies more efficient.
As the lawsuit advances, all eyes are on the courts. Will Musk be forced to answer under oath? Can the states prove overreach? And, crucially, will the legal system draw firm boundaries around DOGE’s controversial powers?
