New Filing Could Force DOGE to Reveal How It Operates Within Government
Democracy Forward filed a motion Wednesday to seek limited, expedited discovery in its lawsuit to block Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive Department of Labor (DOL) information.
Should the court grant the motion, it would be the first lawsuit against DOGE where the plaintiffs are able to obtain evidence, albeit limited, on how Elon Musk’s faux agency is operating within the federal government.
It’s the latest development in the ongoing legal battle challenging DOGE’s authority and access to data within the DOL. On Feb. 5, Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of federal unions to block DOGE from accessing sensitive DOL data. The lawsuit alleged that the DOL granting DOGE access to its systems violates the Privacy Act and should they gain access, it would cause irreparable harm.
“DOGE seeks to gain access to sensitive systems before courts can stop them, dismantle agencies before Congress can assert its prerogatives in the federal budget, and intimidate and threaten employees who stand in their way, worrying about the consequences later,” the lawsuit said.
On Feb. 6, Department of Justice attorneys agreed to block DOGE’s access to the DOL, but a district court judge denied the plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order a day later, allowing DOGE’s access.
Prior to Democracy Forward’s filing, the judge issued an order saying that discovery in this case “would be appropriate and beneficial” to know the actions and policies that DOGE and DOL took to try to gain access to sensitive data and systems.