The Trump administration is fighting to overturn a federal judge’s order that restricts political appointees from accessing key Treasury Department systems. The order, issued by Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, bars officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), from viewing payment processing systems that handle tax refunds, Social Security checks, and federal payroll.
The administration argues that the ruling violates Article II of the Constitution, which establishes the president’s authority over executive branch agencies. In an emergency motion filed Sunday, Trump officials stated, “There is no basis for distinguishing between ‘civil servants’ and ‘political appointees’ in overseeing federal agencies.”
The court order was granted in response to a lawsuit from 19 Democrat-led states that claim DOGE should not have access to Treasury records. The ruling also requires the immediate deletion of any data DOGE obtained since Trump took office on January 20.
Administration officials have warned that the restraining order could create significant disruptions in government operations. Treasury systems process billions in payments each day, and preventing oversight by political leadership could complicate management.
Vice President JD Vance denounced the judge’s decision, arguing that courts do not have the authority to interfere with executive oversight of government agencies. “If a judge told the attorney general how to prosecute cases, that would be illegal,” Vance said.
The administration is seeking an immediate stay on the order while the case moves forward. A hearing is set for February 14, and if the request to vacate is denied, the White House is expected to escalate the legal battle to a higher federal court.
