A federal judge has ruled in favor of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),

granting it access to student loan data despite opposition from student advocacy groups. U.S.

District Judge Randolph D. Moss, in his February 17 decision, stated that concerns over privacy

breaches did not constitute “irreparable harm,” allowing DOGE to receive sensitive student loan

information. This ruling comes as Musk pushes to reduce federal spending by up to $2 trillion annually,

including cuts to student loan funding. Although the University of California Student Association

(UCSA) has the option to appeal the decision, it currently lacks legal avenues to block DOGE’s

access, which is already being coordinated by six full-time federal employees.

The ruling is a significant setback for critics of Musk’s government overhaul, especially as

DOGE’s broader access to federal data systems continues to spark controversy. Musk has aggressively

criticized federal judges and accused them of protecting corruption, particularly in response to a

separate ruling that blocked DOGE from accessing the U.S. Treasury Department’s payment system.

While Musk’s supporters argue that DOGE is uncovering widespread government fraud, such as improper

payments to individuals listed as over 100 years old, critics warn that granting unchecked access

to sensitive data could lead to privacy violations. As the legal battle continues,

the future of DOGE’s authority and its role in government oversight remains uncertain.