Posted on 03/21/2025 8:34:19 PM PDT by Red Badger
A federal judge on Thursday barred DOGE from accessing social security systems.
US District Judge Ellen Hollander, an Obama appointee, said DOGE’s workers are on a “fishing expedition.”
“The DOGE Team is essentially engaged in a fishing expedition at SSA, in search of a fraud epidemic, based on little more than suspicion. It has launched a search for the proverbial needle in the haystack, without any concrete knowledge that the needle is actually in the haystack,” Judge Hollander wrote.
Far-left organizations like AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers and other plaintiffs sued the Social Security Administration, Elon Musk, DOGE and other Trump advisors.
“The plaintiffs are the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (“AFSCME”); Alliance for Retired Americans (“ARA” or “Alliance”); and American Federation of Teachers (“AFT”). They have sued the Social Security Administration; Leland Dudek, in his official capacity as “purported Acting Commissioner” of the SSA; Michael Russo, in his official capacity as Chief Information Officer (“CIO”) of the Agency; Elon Musk, in his official capacity as “Senior Advisor to the President and de facto head of” the Department of Government Efficiency; the “U.S. DOGE Service”; the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization; and Amy Gleason, in her official capacity as the DOGE Acting Administrator,” the court document read.
The judge sided with the plaintiffs and said DOGE is likely violating privacy laws with access to social security numbers and other personal information.
On Friday Acting Social Security commissioner Leland Dudek told the Washington Post in an interview that he will likely file an affidavit asking Judge Hollander to clarify her ruling, calling the language “ambiguous,” “overly broad,” and “weirdly written.”
“[In] an interview Friday with The Washington Post, Dudek argued that the judge’s ruling was overly broad and that a reference to “DOGE affiliates” could apply to all employees who access personally identifiable information, or PII, because they are obligated to cooperate with DOGE,” The Washington Post reported.
“Everything in this agency is PII,” Dudek told The Post. “Unless I get clarification, I’ll just start to shut it down. I don’t have much of a choice here.”
Dudek’s comments created a media firestorm, prompting Judge Hollander to issue a letter clarifying her language.
“The Court is aware of several news reports claiming that Acting Social Security Commissioner Dudek believes that virtually all employees of SSA fall within the scope of the Order, including his “IT Staff” and his “anti-fraud team.” And, according to the news reports, Mr. Dudek apparently believes he is required to terminate their access to SSA’s IT systems, in order to comply with the Order,” Judge Hollander wrote in a letter on Friday.
The judge continued, “Such assertions about the scope of the Order are inaccurate. Employee of SSA who are not involved with the DOGE Team or in the work of the DOGE Team are not subject to the Order. A DOGE Affiliate is defined in the Order, inter alia, as a person working on or implementing the DOGE agenda. Moreover, any suggestion that the Order may require the delay or suspension of benefit payments is incorrect.”
I think there is more than suspicion of fraud. There’s also evidence of it.
lol, that is what audits are, but as far as needles go this needle is as big as the space needle and easier to see.
Another judge that needs a visit from DOGE.
Every audit could be described this way. This judge is a lunatic.
There’s a template for success here.
Administration needs to encourage lawsuits from friendly judges to “force” them to do what they want to do and check the lawsuits before corrupt, liberal judges.
For years, Dems have used strategic lawsuits like this to adopt unpopular policies and to reward their friends. Now it’s our turn.
The IRS does audits all the time, and they get real personal with your information. Send them in.
“The judge sided with the plaintiffs and said DOGE is likely violating privacy laws with access to social security numbers and other personal information.”
Here’s the logic; about a kabillion low level, nameless, faceless government bureaucrats have or had access to your private information, but the DOGE team isn’t trust worthy. That argument is incredibly stupid, but I guess it’s the best talking point they could come up with.
Typical-looking lefty DEI appointee.
oh i get it
the ones perpetrating the waste fraud and abuse have full access
the ones looking for waste fraud and abuse do not
So now you just have DOGE order SSA to do this, do that. Find one or two reliable SSA G12-G13 DOGE-types (they exist) and away we go.
the “judge” seems very upset that the
executive branch is auditing the executive branch
in search of a fraud epidemic, based on little more than suspicion.
..................................
Yeah, mere suspicion. More than a million over the age of 120 receiving benefits.
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