Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has granted a temporary restraining order against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This decision prevents DOGE associates from accessing Americans' private data while ongoing litigation continues.

Bonta emphasized the importance of safeguarding critical systems, stating, "Our country cannot afford to have people in the driver’s seat who move fast and break things, especially when the things they’re breaking are critical and sensitive systems that millions of Americans rely on." He further noted that the President lacks authority to distribute Americans' personal information indiscriminately.

The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of 19 attorneys general aiming to prevent DOGE from accessing sensitive Treasury Department materials, including bank account and social security numbers. The court quickly responded with a temporary restraining order as states pursue a preliminary injunction.

During this period, members of the Trump Administration are prohibited from granting access to Treasury Department records to individuals outside authorized civil servants within the Bureau of Fiscal Services. Those restricted from accessing sensitive information must destroy any material obtained since January 20, 2025.