Mercer Times

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit aims to halt what is described as unauthorized disclosure of Americans' private information and sensitive data. According to the lawsuit, the Trump Administration allegedly provided Elon Musk and the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) with unauthorized access to the Treasury Department's central payment system. This system contains sensitive personal information such as bank account details and Social Security numbers.

Attorney General Platkin expressed concerns about this development, stating, "President Trump has allowed an unelected billionaire to infiltrate key federal agencies and systems that store Social Security numbers, banking information, and other extremely sensitive data for millions of people." He further emphasized that these actions pose risks to financial and information security nationwide.

The policy change by the Treasury Department, effective February 2, 2025, allows "special government employees," including Musk and DOGE members, access to the Bureau of Fiscal Services' (BFS) central payment system. This system manages critical funding for services like Social Security payments, veterans benefits, Medicare and Medicaid payments.

Federal law restricts BFS access to certain career civil servants with appropriate security clearances. The coalition argues that expanding access violates federal law and could enable unauthorized individuals to freeze federal funds unconstitutionally.

The attorneys general seek an injunction against continuing this policy change and a declaration that it is unlawful. Joining New Jersey in this legal action are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.