The decision overturns a lower court’s injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander, who said, “This intrusion into the personal affairs of millions of Americans… is not in the public interest.”
The Supreme Court on Friday approved the Trump administration’s emergency request to allow the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive Social Security data.
The decision overturns a lower court’s injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander, who said, “This intrusion into the personal affairs of millions of Americans… is not in the public interest.”
Solicitor General John Sauer argued the injunction “inflict[s] ongoing, irreparable harm on urgent federal priorities.” He claimed DOGE must access the data to combat fraud effectively.
Opponents, including labor unions and retiree advocates, said the administration’s move broke from long-standing precedent, warning of privacy risks from “unauthorized (and often unvetted) personnel.”
They added, “That has never been the standard for emergency relief, and the Court should not adopt it now.”
The case reflects broader legal tensions in Trump’s second term.