Despite DOGE’s remarkable track record of saving American taxpayers $150 billion, U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander in Baltimore issued a preliminary injunction limiting its access to Social Security Administration (SSA) data, citing privacy concerns.
The case, brought by labor unions and retired individuals, claims that DOGE’s methods violate privacy protections that have been in place for decades. While Judge Hollander acknowledged the group’s goal is “laudable” and shared by many Americans, she expressed concern over how DOGE conducts its work, stating the effort “exposes a wide fissure” in SSA’s long-standing privacy policies.
DOGE, however, has clarified that it has not strayed from standard agency practices. Justice Department attorney Bradley Humphreys noted that DOGE’s methods are similar to those already used by internal auditors and agency staff. The main distinction is the scope—DOGE seeks access to larger swaths of anonymized data in order to uncover fraudulent activity more effectively. Critics argue anonymization is “extremely burdensome,” but supporters point out that such methods are often used in modern data investigations and could help the agency operate more transparently.
To address these concerns, the court is requiring DOGE staff to complete SSA training and background checks before gaining further access. Still, critics of the ruling argue that the restrictions could undermine DOGE’s ability to operate efficiently and impede its mission to make the federal government accountable to taxpayers.
DOGE, under Musk’s leadership, has already helped cancel wasteful contracts, eliminate improper payments, and slash bureaucratic bloat. Its aggressive approach to exposing government inefficiency has earned widespread praise from fiscal conservatives, watchdog groups, and the American public. A recent Economist/YouGov poll showed more Americans hold a favorable view of DOGE than not, with many applauding its initiative to investigate how members of Congress amass wealth while in office.
Despite the setback, DOGE remains committed to cutting waste and increasing transparency. The department continues to post detailed receipts of its actions—already representing roughly 30% of its reported savings—on its website, offering Americans a rare glimpse into the kind of savings that responsible governance can achieve.
