Trump Administration Sued Over DOGE Data Breach

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims the Trump administration and Elon Musk's DOGE initiative violated privacy laws by exposing personal information of millions of Americans.

Consumers Affected: Individuals in the U.S. whose personal information was accessed by DOGE without authorization.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

A group of people from across the US are suing the Trump administration over what they call an "unprecedented" and "illegal" breach of personal data by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a shadowy initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk, according to the new lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that Treasury Secretary Bessent improperly gave Musk and other DOGE affiliates unrestricted access to government databases containing the Social Security numbers, bank details, addresses, and financial information of millions of Americans. The plaintiffs argue this breach violates long-standing federal privacy laws, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code.

According to the complaint, Bessent removed career officials who resisted DOGE’s demands, paving the way for its staffers to gain access to federal records. The plaintiffs claim this led to financial fraud, identity theft, and widespread distress for people who had no choice but to share their sensitive data with the government for benefits, tax payments, and loans.

DOGE Data Breach Exposed Sensitive Information, Lawsuit Claims

The lawsuit was brought by six people from a number of states who say they suffered direct harm from the data exposure. Andrea Gribbon, Cherice Prater, Helga Hertlein, Donald Custer, Dennis Titko, and Lynn Boisrond all claim their private information was improperly accessed.

Some plaintiffs suffered immediate financial losses: Boisrond discovered unauthorized charges on her bank account and found her personal details circulating on the dark web, according to the lawsuit. Titko had a fraudulent bank account opened in his name, forcing him to shut it down. Others faced long-term financial risks, including damaged credit scores and ongoing identity theft concerns.

Beyond financial harm, the lawsuit highlights the emotional toll of the breaches. The plaintiffs say they have spent countless hours disputing fraudulent transactions, freezing credit accounts, and purchasing identity theft protection—costs they argue should never have fallen on them in the first place.

What is DOGE?

DOGE was established via an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day in office on January 20, 2025. The order transformed the United States Digital Service (USDS) into the U.S. DOGE Service, directing agencies to give DOGE operatives full access to unclassified government systems.

Despite the sweeping power of the new quasi-agency, key details remain unclear. The White House has never officially disclosed who runs DOGE, and Elon Musk’s role remains ambiguous. While the administration has labeled him a "special government employee," Musk has continued his role as CEO of multiple private companies—raising ethical and legal concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

DOGE Faces Multiple Legal Challenges

DOGE has already become one of the most legally embattled initiatives of the Trump administration. In just a few weeks, the agency has faced more than 20 lawsuits, challenging its expansion of executive power, mass firings of federal employees, and access to sensitive government data.

Since its inception, DOGE operatives have reportedly accessed databases at multiple agencies, including:

• The Treasury Department (government payment systems)
• The Office of Personnel Management (federal employee records)
• The Department of Education (student loan data)
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (disaster victim records)
• The Department of Labor (employment and workplace data)

The lawsuit warns that DOGE’s next target may be the Internal Revenue Service, which would give Musk’s team access to millions of taxpayer records. Critics say the scale of these intrusions is unlike anything in modern U.S. history. While the White House insists DOGE is simply an efficiency initiative, legal experts argue it has no clear oversight, accountability, or limits on its power.

In their class action lawsuit, the plaintiffs want to represent anyone in the United States whose Personal Sensitive Information was accessed without their prior written authorization from the OPM or the Department of Treasury beginning in January 2025. They are suing for violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and Privacy Act and are seeking damages, declaratory relief, enjoinment, costs, fees, and interest.

Case Details:

• Lawsuit: Gribbon, et al. v. Musk, et al.
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-00422
• Court: US District Court for the District of Columbia

Plaintiffs' Attorneys:

• Gary E. Mason, Danielle L. Perry, and Salena J. Chowdhury (Mason LLP) 

Do you believe your personal information may have been compromised in the DOGE data breach? Share your thoughts on this lawsuit in the comments below.