Supreme Court Lifts Injunction on DOGE's Access to Social Security Data

Washington, D.C. - In a notable decision, the United States Supreme Court has lifted a preliminary injunction in the case of AFSCME v. SSA, allowing the Trump administration's initiative to authorize the so-called "Department of Governmental Efficiency" (DOGE) access to sensitive personal data collected by the Social Security Administration. This decision comes after an appeals court previously refused to halt the injunction, recognizing the potential violation of privacy protections inherent in granting DOGE operatives unrestricted access to private Social Security data, including immigration, health, and financial information.

The case is represented by Democracy Forward on behalf of key groups including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Alliance for Retired Americans. Following the ruling, the coalition released a statement expressing concerns, stating:

“This is a sad day for our democracy and a scary day for millions of people. This ruling will enable President Trump and DOGE’s affiliates to steal Americans’ private and personal data. Elon Musk may have left Washington, D.C., but his impact continues to harm millions of people. We will continue to use every legal tool at our disposal to keep unelected bureaucrats from misusing the public’s most sensitive data as this case moves forward.”

As the case proceeds, it will be examined on its merits in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, alongside the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Representing Democracy Forward in this significant legal battle are Anne Swift, Mark Samburg, Emma Leibowitz, and Robin Thurston.