A federal judge is set to rule Friday on whether to block Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing systems at the U.S. Department of Labor. The case, brought by three unions, argues that Musk’s team should not be allowed access to sensitive worker data, including information on safety complaints and investigations into Musk-owned companies such as SpaceX and Tesla.
The lawsuit, filed with the help of the advocacy group Democracy Forward, contends that DOGE’s presence at the Labor Department violates multiple laws, including those protecting civil servants from undue political interference and ensuring the security of government-collected data. The department also holds trade secrets from Musk’s competitors, further raising concerns.
The Justice Department has pushed back against the unions’ claims, arguing that there is no concrete evidence that DOGE employees would access or misuse sensitive information. According to government lawyers, three DOGE members have been assigned to the Labor Department as part of its cost-cutting mission but have not yet been implicated in any wrongdoing.
U.S. District Judge John Bates, a George W. Bush appointee, is presiding over the case. The legal battle highlights growing concerns over Musk’s expanding influence in the federal government under President Donald Trump. Since being tasked with streamlining the government, DOGE has gained access to Treasury Department payment systems, largely dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, and offered financial incentives for federal employees to resign.
The unions argue that the risks of DOGE’s involvement at the Labor Department are particularly high. The agency oversees the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which has previously investigated and fined Musk’s companies for workplace safety violations. The lawsuit also references an internal warning from Labor Department leadership advising employees not to question DOGE staff and to comply with their requests without resistance.
Meanwhile, a separate legal challenge has already led to temporary restrictions on DOGE’s access to Treasury Department systems, limiting it to “read-only” privileges for two employees. Additionally, 13 states have signaled their intent to sue over DOGE’s involvement in federal financial operations.
As the federal government wrestles with the unprecedented influence of Musk’s team, Friday’s ruling could set a crucial precedent on the limits of DOGE’s authority.
