“ A Violation of the Public’s Trust"

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel

Attorney General Nessel on DOGE Access to Sensitive Personal Information

Lansing– Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is issuing the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of the Treasury granting Elon Musk and his so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) staffers access to sensitive payment systems containing Americans’ personally identifiable information: 

"Handing over access to some of the most sensitive and private information about the American people to appointees who have no clearance, no qualifications, and no legitimate reason to have that information, is not only a clear violation of the public's trust but also an affront to the fundamental rights of every American. It is unlawful, unacceptable and cannot stand. 
“This level of access for unauthorized individuals, under the guise of progress, is illegal and unprecedented. DOGE has no authority to access this information, which initiates critical payments that support health care, childcare, and other essential programs that millions of Americans rely on.
“In defense of our Constitution, our right to privacy, and the essential funding that individuals and communities nationwide are counting on, I am reviewing our options and will be taking action shortly.” 

Note:  Federal Judge Paul A. Engelmeyer issued an emergency order Saturday morning temporarily restricting  DOGE access to the Treasury Department's payment and data systems. The order stated "The Court’s firm assessment is that, for the reasons stated by the States, they will face irreparable harm in the absence of injunctive relief. That is because of the risk that the new policy presents of the disclosure of sensitive and confidential information and the heightened risk that the systems in question will be more vulnerable than before to hacking>"
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