On Monday, June 9, Judge Denise Cote granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing some databases within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Judge Cote found that by OPM accessing those databases, it had acted illegally and disregarded its established cybersecurity practices. The injunction was requested by plaintiffs, including the American Federation of Government Employees, who argue DOGE agents lacked proper clearance and training. Cote has asked both parties to propose terms for the injunction by June 12. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, co-representing the plaintiffs, hailed the ruling as a win for privacy rights.
While the Justice Department sought to allow exceptions for senior OPM officials and referenced similar rulings involving DOGE’s access to other federal systems (like Treasury and Social Security), Cote remained critical of the government’s defense and its refusal to acknowledge policy failures.
