A group of administrative law judges has filed a lawsuit arguing that the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) request for their personal information puts their safety at risk. The legal action comes amid growing resistance to the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
The Association of Administrative Law Judges, which represents 910 judges working at the Social Security Administration, filed the lawsuit in a New York federal court on Tuesday. The union is joined by other labor groups representing government employees.
The lawsuit seeks to block DOGE, led by Elon Musk, from accessing the personal and employment records of judges through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The OPM is responsible for managing federal human resources, including storing sensitive personnel information.
The complaint names OPM, DOGE, and Musk as defendants, accusing them of violating the Privacy Act by allowing DOGE to access government records without proper authorization. The Privacy Act prevents the unauthorized release of personal information held by federal agencies.
“Our members are frequently subjected to threats, so enforcing the Privacy Act is critical to our safety,” said Som Ramrup, president of the Association of Administrative Law Judges.
Neither DOGE nor the OPM responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit. However, Musk defended his group’s cost-cutting efforts during a White House appearance on Tuesday, claiming that they are eliminating waste and inefficiency in the government. He also pledged to shrink the federal workforce further by laying off employees and cutting unnecessary programs.
Although the Association of Administrative Law Judges does not often pursue legal action, this isn’t their first lawsuit against the government. In 2020, the union filed a lawsuit during Trump’s first term against the Federal Service Impasses Panel, alleging improper appointments.
Ramrup emphasized that administrative law judges undergo extensive background checks that include sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, health data, and home addresses. These judges often adjudicate Social Security cases, making them potential targets for individuals upset by their decisions.
Over the past few weeks, multiple lawsuits have been filed against the Trump administration, challenging DOGE’s attempts to access federal records and systems. These cases aim to block actions related to the U.S. Treasury Department, the Labor Department, and proposed buyouts for federal employees.
Administrative law judges operate within executive branch agencies like the Social Security Administration and the Department of Labor. They differ from Article III judges, who preside over federal courts.
The lawsuit is filed under the case name American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. U.S. Office of Personnel Management, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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