DOGE Can Access Labor, Health Data as DC Judge Denies Block (1)

The Department of Government Efficiency will retain access to computer systems and data at the Labor and Health and Human Services departments after a federal judge rejected a challenge from unions and nonprofits.

The group failed to show the required harm for a preliminary injunction, Judge John D. Bates of the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled Friday.

“The only harm plaintiffs allege their members face is that their information has been or will be viewed by unauthorized government personnel,” Bates wrote. “Absent evidence those personnel will imminently misuse or publicly disclose that information, the Court cannot say that irreparable harm will clearly occur before the Court can make a final determination on the merits.”

The AFL-CIO, as well as several other unions and non-profits, filed a lawsuit in February over DOGE’s efforts to tap into sensitive data systems at the DOL and other agencies. The effort was being carried out without legal authority and in violation of the Privacy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, they argued.

Bates said in his order that because the data isn’t likely to be publicly disclosed, and is being accessed only by a “narrow group,” the union groups failed to prove that emergency relief was necessary.

“No matter how sensitive the information being accessed or how concerned the Court is about that access, establishing irreparable harm requires more,” wrote Bates, a George W. Bush appointee.

Bates had also previously denied two temporary restraining order requests filed by the union coalition, finding they were unlikely to prevail on the merits of their claims.

Democracy Forward, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the union and non-profit coalition, wasn’t immediately available for comment.

The case is AFL-CIO v. DOL, D.D.C., No. 25-cv-00339, 6/27/25.