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By Gabe Whisnant and Anna Commander
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The Trump administration on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access Social Security systems containing sensitive personal data on millions of Americans.
Newsweek reached out to the Supreme Court via email Friday for comment.
Why It Matters
Since his January inauguration, President Donald Trump has enacted sweeping change across the federal political landscape, mainly through executive orders and implementing DOGE.
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The task force has been spearheaded by billionaire Musk in Trump's second term in the Oval Office. The Tesla CEO has pushed for DOGE to have access to numerous departments, and the process has led to legal battles nationwide.
What To Know
The emergency request follows a federal judge's ruling in Maryland that limited DOGE's access, citing federal privacy protections. According to court filings, the Social Security system stores a wide range of personal information, including school records, banking details, salary histories, and medical and mental health data for disability recipients.
The administration argued that the DOGE team requires full access to these systems in order to root out waste and inefficiency within the federal government. It urged the justices to temporarily lift the lower court's order while the legal challenge continues.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Musk has had his sights set on the Social Security Administration, ripping the agency for being what he called a "Ponzi scheme."
The original lawsuit the Trump administration filed was in Maryland and blocked by U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander, a Democratic appointee. She ruled that DOGE could not access the systems but did allow data that had been redacted to be accessed.
On Thursday, the Trump administration also asked the Supreme Court to intervene in an immigration battle involving the Department of Homeland Security, requesting that the court allow revocation of Temporary Protected Status for more than 300,000 Venezuelan migrants—which would clear a path for more deportations.
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What People Are Saying
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on X, formerly Twitter, in April: "There's nothing more important we can do for you as Americans to protect your Social Security than get ride [sic] of the criminals that are stealing it.🔥Your benefits are safe. DOGE has found over 9.9 million people wrongfully drawing social security. DOGE protects benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, & Social Security from criminals who STEAL taxpayer dollars!"
Representative John Larson, Connecticut Democrat, posted to X on Friday: "President Trump's budget guts the programs families rely on and lets Elon Musk's 'DOGE' continue to attack Social Security. Democrats won't stand by as Republicans make cuts to our schools, housing assistance & programs like Meals on Wheels - all to cut taxes for billionaires."
Democratic political analyst Donna Brazile posted to X on Friday: "Just say no! What's the level of competence or even ability to access our social security system? Leave it alone. #HandsOffSocialSecurity. Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let #DOGE access Social Security systems."
What Happens Next
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to respond to its request by 4 p.m. May 12.
Reporting by the AP contributed to this article.
Update 5/2/25, 6:09 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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