Unions, Researchers Seek to Protect the Confidential Information of Americans 

Trump Administration’s Improper Disclosure of Economic Data Would Wreck Havoc on Financial Markets

Washington —  A coalition of labor organizations and an economic thinktank filed a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia to stop Elon Musk’s “U.S. DOGE Service” (“DOGE”) from unlawfully accessing U.S. Department of Labor systems and information, in light of substantiated reports DOGE plans to seek such access later today. 

Plaintiffs, represented by Democracy Forward, include the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFL-CIO), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and nonpartisan think tank Economic Policy Institute. The plaintiffs together represent more than four million workers.

Since President Trump’s inauguration, the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” and Elon Musk and his associates have launched a sweeping campaign to access highly-sensitive information systems and work to dismantle and restructure multiple federal agencies unilaterally.

Within the first three weeks of the Trump Administration, DOGE has seized control of some of the most carefully-protected information systems housed at federal agencies, including the Treasury Department, taken hold of all sensitive personnel information at the Office of Personnel Management, and dismantled USAID. 

“DOGE’s sweeping campaign to access highly-sensitive information and unilaterally dismantle federal agencies is unlawful and must be stopped,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “The Court must not allow DOGE to seize control of the highly sensitive, personal data held within the Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics. We will use every tool available to prevent this hostile takeover of yet another critical federal agency.” 

A copy of the complaint can be found here and the motion in support of the temporary restraining order is available here. 

– # # # – 

Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.