Carson City, NV – Attorney General Aaron D. Ford has issued a statement following a federal judge’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction in the case of State of New York v. Donald J. Trump. The lawsuit involves Ford and 18 other attorneys general who sought to prevent the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing personal information at the Department of the Treasury.
Ford stated, “Today’s preliminary injunction is a victory for the rule of law and for Nevadans. Our country has systems in place to ensure our government runs smoothly and our citizens are protected, and I will fight back against any effort to unlawfully skirt those protections or dismantle our system of checks and balances.”
The legal action claims that the Trump administration unlawfully allowed Elon Musk and DOGE access to sensitive data within the Treasury Department’s central payment system. This system includes crucial information such as bank account details and Social Security numbers.
On February 2, 2025, a new policy was adopted by the Trump administration’s Treasury Department. It granted “special government employees,” including Musk and DOGE members, access to this central payment system managed by the Bureau of Fiscal Services (BFS). The BFS controls essential funding streams like Social Security payments, veteran benefits, Medicare, Medicaid payments, and more.
Federal law restricts BFS access to specific career civil servants with necessary security clearances. Ford argues that expanding this access violates legal standards and endangers Americans’ personal information. The policy could allow unauthorized individuals like Musk to potentially freeze federal funds unconstitutionally.
Ford concluded his statement by affirming ongoing efforts: “We will continue to protect Nevadans, and the rule of law, whenever necessary.”
