The Trump administration has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that blocked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Social Security Administration (SSA) data. The administration argues that restricting DOGE’s access hampers efforts to modernize government systems and amounts to judicial overreach. This legal battle arises from a lawsuit filed by labor unions and an advocacy group, claiming that DOGE’s access request violates federal privacy laws.
On April 17, U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, stating that DOGE had not sufficiently justified the need for broad access to SSA data. This decision was upheld by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which declined to stay the ruling. In response, the Trump administration has now asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. The Court has requested a response from the challengers by May 12, 2025.
This case underscores the ongoing tension between the executive branch’s efforts to reform federal agencies and concerns over data privacy. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power between the branches of government and the protection of citizens’ personal information. As the case progresses, it may set a precedent for future disputes involving government access to sensitive data and judicial authority over executive actions
