Trump DOJ calls judge’s DOGE order ‘anti-constitutional’
President Donald Trump’s Justice Department made a bold move to challenge a federal judge’s ruling that blocked Elon Musk and his associates from accessing Treasury Department data. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, prevented Department of Government Efficiency officials from obtaining personal data such as social security numbers and bank account details. The Trump administration argued that it had complied with the order to a significant extent, but the Department of Justice (DOJ) labeled the ruling as “anti-constitutional.”
The White House pointed out that even the Senate-confirmed Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, was prohibited from accessing the data under the order. Vice President JD Vance criticized the ruling as unconstitutional, citing it as an example of judicial overreach.
In response to the ruling, President Trump’s team of software engineers at DOGE faced a setback as their access to treasury department data was blocked. The White House officials, including Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller, raised concerns about the judge impeding DOGE’s efforts to eliminate government waste. Miller highlighted the influence of unelected government bureaucrats in running the country.
Elon Musk, the CEO of DOGE, condemned Judge Engelmayer as a “corrupt judge protecting corruption” and called for his impeachment. Trump expressed his disappointment with the ruling while en route to the Superbowl, emphasizing that judges should not have the authority to make such decisions.
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit alleging that DOGE’s quest for access to data was aimed at unlawfully blocking payments to essential programs. The ongoing legal battle reflects the clash between the executive branch’s efforts to combat government waste and the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional checks and balances.
As the controversy unfolds, it underscores the complex dynamics between the branches of government and the challenges of maintaining accountability and transparency in decision-making processes. The pushback from the Trump administration against the court ruling sets the stage for a legal showdown that could have far-reaching implications for governance and accountability in the future.
Anders Hagstrom, a reporter with Fox News Digital, covers national politics and major breaking news events. For more updates and insights, you can reach out to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
