A federal judge handed a major win to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Friday when he ruled that they may have access to systems within the Department of Treasury deemed "sensitive."

This ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Jeannette Vargas came after a weeks-long battle between DOGE and state attorneys general who were vehement with their objections, as The Daily Wire reported.

Vargas' ruling allows for one member of the DOGE team to access payment and data systems at Treasury as long as they sit for training on the topic. The individual in question (in this case, Ryan Wunderly) would also have to offer a financial disclosure.

The decision by Vargas on Friday followed a legal challenge from blue state attorneys general and came nearly two months after she had blocked DOGE from the systems.

From the judge

“The Court hereby modifies the PI Order to permit Defendants to grant Ryan Wunderly access to Treasury Department payment records, payment systems, and any other data systems maintained by the Treasury Department containing personally identifiable information and/or confidential financial information of payees, PROVIDED THAT (i) Wunderly first completes any hands-on training in such systems that is typically required of other Treasury employees granted commensurate access; and (ii) that Wunderly first submits his OGE 278 Financial Disclosure Report,” Vargas wrote.

New York Attorney General Letitia James marshaled 18 other Democratic attorney generals who rallied a lawsuit in February of this year, attempting to challenge DOGE's access government-wide.

DOGE is leading the charge for President Donald Trump to reduce government waste, fraud, and abuse, consistent with his campaign promises and his agenda.

From James

“Giving the world’s richest man unauthorized access to our nation’s central payment system, and our most sensitive personal information, puts all Americans – and the essential funds they depend on – at risk,” James said in February.

“With this illegal power grab, Musk and DOGE are trying to wipe out vital programs and services – from health care to public safety to education – that our communities need.”

James argued in her lawsuit that only someone who has been working their entire career in civil service should have access to the systems in question, and that they should be closely guarded due to the amount of sensitive and personal information found there.

At the time, the Trump administration maintained that the Treasury systems had been made available to only two DOGE team members, and that they had received position-appropriate training.

The Backdrop

This decision comes as DOGE continues its examination of federal payment and system processes. On Thursday, DOGE made an announcement on the discovery of $382 million in suspicious payments during the initial review of jobless claims.

This money was mostly sent by three blue states: Massachusetts, New York, and California, which accounted for over 80%.

“California, New York, and Massachusetts accounted for most of these improper claims, totaling $305M in unemployment benefits,” said DOGE.

“Additionally, California accounted for 68% of the unemployment benefits paid to parolees identified by CBP on the terrorist watchlist or with criminal records.”