The Supreme Court on Friday temporarily granted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), formerly led by Elon Musk, full access to sensitive Social Security Administration (SSA) data, including Social Security numbers, health records, and family court files. This decision, made in a 6-3 ruling along ideological lines, sided with the Trump administration’s request and overturned previous lower court decisions. The case now returns to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for a full review.
The DOGE initiative was launched at the start of Trump’s second term to modernize federal technology. Acting SSA Commissioner Michelle King initially resisted granting access but later resigned. Her replacement, Leland Dudek, allowed what critics are calling “unfettered access” to SSA systems. The three liberal justices dissented, warning that the data release should have been paused during the appeals process.
This ruling is the latest in a series of wins for constitutional conservatives. Earlier in the week, the Court rejected a lawsuit by Mexico against U.S. gun manufacturers and supported a woman’s claim of workplace discrimination. However, the Court declined to hear challenges to state climate lawsuits aimed at oil companies, a decision criticized by energy producers and conservative groups who argue such suits burden consumers and push progressive energy policies.
Separately, the Court recently allowed the Trump administration to revoke temporary legal status for over half a million migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua, a key component of Trump’s immigration agenda. This ruling overturned a lower court’s block and could lead to deportations as the case continues.
