[FoxNews] Under the order, DOGE staffers may still access Social Security data that's been redacted or stripped of anything personally identifiable
A federal judge in Baltimore issued a preliminary injunction Thursday restricting the Department of Government Efficiency’s access to Social Security data.
U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander, an Obama appointee, said DOGE-affiliated staffers must purge any of the non-anonymized Social Security data that they have received since Jan. 20. They are also barred from making any changes to the computer code or software used by the Social Security Administration, must remove any software or code they might have already installed, and are forbidden from disclosing any of that code to others.
The injunction does allow DOGE staffers to access data that's been redacted or stripped of anything personally identifiable, if they undergo training and background checks.
"The objective to address fraud, waste, mismanagement, and bloat is laudable, and one that the American public presumably applauds and supports," Hollander wrote in the ruling issued late Thursday night. "Indeed, the taxpayers have every right to expect their government to make sure that their hard earned money is not squandered."
But that's not the issue, Hollander said — the issue is with how DOGE, led by billionaire Elon Musk, wants to do the work.
"For some 90 years, SSA has been guided by the foundational principle of an expectation of privacy with respect to its records. This case exposes a wide fissure in the foundation," the judge wrote.
The case was brought by a group of labor unions and retirees who allege DOGE's recent actions violate privacy laws and present massive information security risks.
During a federal court hearing Tuesday in Baltimore, Hollander repeatedly asked the government's attorneys why DOGE needs "seemingly unfettered access" to the agency's troves of sensitive personal information to uncover Social Security fraud.
"What is it we're doing that needs all of that information?" Hollander said, questioning whether most of the data could be anonymized.
Attorneys for the Trump administration said changing the process would slow down their efforts.
"While anonymization is possible, it is extremely burdensome," Justice Department attorney Bradley Humphreys told the court. He argued the DOGE access doesn't deviate significantly from normal practices inside the agency, where employees and auditors are routinely allowed to search its databases.
But attorneys for the plaintiffs called it "a sea change" in terms of how the agency handles sensitive information.
Skye Perryman, President and CEO of the legal services group Democracy Forward, which is behind the lawsuit, said the ruling has brought "significant relief for the millions of people who depend on the Social Security Administration to safeguard their most personal and sensitive information."
Hollander made clear that her order didn't apply to SSA workers who aren't affiliated with DOGE, so they can still access any data they use in the course of ordinary work. But DOGE staffers who want access to the anonymized data must first undergo the typical training and background checks required of other Social Security Administration staffers, she said.
Hollander, 75, is the latest judge to consider a DOGE-related case. Many of her inquiries Tuesday focused on whether the Social Security case differs significantly from another Maryland case challenging DOGE's access to data at three other agencies: the Education Department, the Treasury Department and the Office of Personnel Management. In that case, an appeals court recently blocked a preliminary injunction and cleared the way for DOGE to once again access people's private data.
Hollander's injunction could also be appealed to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which sided with the Trump administration in other cases, including allowing DOGE access to the U.S. Agency for International Development and letting executive orders against diversity, equity and inclusion move forward.
[JustTheNews] The judge who has emerged as a top foe of Trump's deportation efforts previously let a well-known Trump-Russia collusion hoax proponent off the hook. But newly-declassified Crossfire Hurricane records show the FBI's Kevin Clinesmith was deeply involved in in the bogus Russiagate saga.
Convicted FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith — whom Judge James Boasberg gave a slap on the wrist for his crimes years before becoming a public foe of President Donald Trump’s deportation policies — was more deeply involved in the deeply flawed Crossfire Hurricane investigation than previously known.
Clinesmith, who worked on both the FBI’s Hillary Clinton email investigation and on the Trump-Russia collusion inquiry, pleaded guilty to falsifying a document during the bureau’s efforts to renew FISA authority to wiretap Carter Page, who was an adviser to Trump's 2016 campaign.
Newly-declassified details about Clinesmith’s involvement include a wide swath of information about his role in the case. He was a key go-to for former FBI lawyer Lisa Page and fired FBI special agent Peter Strzok throughout the debunked collusion saga and a main driver in obtaining a FISA warrant against Page based on the infamous Steele dossier.
Clinesmith also granted his seal of approval on a document describing the FBI’s pretextual briefing of then-candidate Trump, was deeply involved in the investigation into retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn, played a role in going after former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, and more. He also helped the FBI push its “Cross Wind” investigation, which Just the News can confirm related to the targeting of security expert Walid Phares, which resulted in no accusations of wrongdoing and no charges.
KNEE-DEEP IN THE MUD
Clinesmith confessed in August 2020 that he had manipulated a CIA email in 2017 to state that Carter Page was “not a source” for the CIA when that agency had actually told the bureau on multiple occasions that Page was in fact an “operational contact” for the CIA.
Boasberg, the federal judge who is blocking Trump’s efforts to deport Venezuelan gang members, also played a key and controversial role in the aftermath of the Trump-Russia collusion saga as the leader of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The judge, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by then-President Barack Obama in 2011, is currently engaged in an all-out legal battle with the Trump Justice Department.
But in his role as the head of the FISA Court he made a number of divisive decisions, including a slap on the wrist for a member of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane team, the appointment of officials who had defended the FBI’s actions during the Russiagate saga, the renewal of the FBI’s FISA powers, and more.
BOASBERG DEFENDS CLINESMITH
Boasberg ruled this week that “probable cause exists” to hold Trump administration officials in criminal contempt after they violated his orders by continuing deportation flights. But his ruling follows the Supreme Court holding that Boasberg's court was in an improper venue for the case altogether.
Boasberg, in his role as a federal judge, denied the Justice Department’s efforts to seek up to six months behind bars for Clinesmith, who pleaded guilty in Special Counsel John Durham’s Trump-Russia investigation — instead giving Clinesmith a year of probation, 400 hours of community service, and no fine.
The remaining subheds:
Collaboration on the Carter Page FISA
Clinesmith altered docs, hid information from FISA court
Sign off on doc detailing pretextual briefing of Trump
Clinesmith Targets Flynn
Leaks and unmasking
"Out to get Trump"
Steele Dossier dissemination
Clinesmith and Papadopoulos
Strzok establishes a pattern of untruths
“Cross Wind”
Clinesmith: "Viva le resistance"
Comey arranges leaks to media
The Crossfire docs a profitable venture
[BIZPACREVIEW] Working remotely just took on a whole new meaning for one Democratic city attorney, who is performing her duties while on a cruise ship.
Assistant City Attorney of San Diego Jean Jordan, 65, was approved to earn an eye-popping $300,000 a year while sailing the high seas. She will be performing her duties while on a luxury cruise ship, where she will not only continue to receive benefits but will also be accruing vacation time. I really, really need a job in San Diego.
Jordan agreed to stay in her position as opposed to retiring, and has been away from land since January. The approval for this head-scratching arrangement came from her boss, Democrat City Attorney Heather Ferbert, who explained to Daily Mail that she is in ''constant contact'' with the assistant city attorney.
When the outlet attempted to contact Jordan via email, they received an automated response indicating she was ''out of office'' until the following day.
''Thank you for your email. I am out of the office today April 14, 2025. I will not have access to email or voicemail. I will return April 15, 2025. If you have an urgent matter please contact Leslie FitzGerald,'' Daily Mail reported, noting that the provided email address to contact her colleague had her name spelled incorrectly.
Former city lawyer Marlea Dell'Anno said people are ''outraged'' by luxury working conditions.
''I can't tell you how many people have called me or emailed me about this. People are outraged!'' she said. ''I don't understand how as a leader you could ever think that's a good idea. How is the work getting done? You're talking about an executive and a taxpayer-funded position.''
Posted by: Fred ||
04/18/2025 01:56 ||
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[11133 views]
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#1
This has to result in a recall petition for her boss, otherwise, things will just get crazier.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
04/18/2025 8:11 Comments ||
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#2
Another day in Sandy Eggo.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
04/18/2025 8:53 Comments ||
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#3
The deluxe internet package on a cruise ship is not cheap. Is she paying for that out of her $300k?
Posted by: Bobby ||
04/18/2025 8:55 Comments ||
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#4
Cruise Ship internet is about $15 to $30 per day, according to our neighbors (who do cruise a bit).
Also told that it's not really that fast or that secure.
They also told me that one guy tried to bring his own starlink on board, but it was impounded until he returned. The cruise lines don't want competition.
Posted by: Mullah Richard ||
04/18/2025 9:33 Comments ||
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#5
Despite all that, I'd never go on one.
Probably less microbes and other toxins in a city sewer.
Posted by: Mullah Richard ||
04/18/2025 9:34 Comments ||
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#6
all required work could be performed remotely on a temporary basis with no impact on office operations.”
So what you are saying, is the office itself is not financially efficient?
#7
Here's a money quote: Newly elected City Attorney Heather Ferbert promoted one of her top deputies [another attrny] to a freshly created executive position paying almost $300,000 a year and permitted her to work remotely during an extended sea cruise around the world.
#9
Heather Ferbert - American lawyer and San Diego City Attorney since 2024
Posted by: Bobby ||
04/18/2025 16:45 Comments ||
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#10
NB: I did a short 36-yr tenure for San Diego. This will not end well for Jordan or Ferbert. Jordan will retire before she disembarks and Ferbert will be diminished for her entire term
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/18/2025 19:54 Comments ||
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[NYPOST] President Donald Trump ...His ancestors didn't own any slaves... offered his take on former first lady Jill Biden's role in the Biden administration during an exclusive interview on Fox Noticias.
Fox Noticias host Rachel Campos-Duffy asked Trump whether he believed Jill Biden was former President Joe The Big Guy Biden ...46th president of the U.S. This Is A Man That Does Not Seem Demented... 's ''autopen.''
''No, I don't think so,'' Trump said, but argued ''she was certainly involved because he gave her the last meeting to preside over with the Cabinet.''
Trump was referring to the former first lady's controversial attendance at one of Biden's last Cabinet meetings in September 2024.
The amount of alleged influence the former first lady had over Joe Biden and his administration had been a frequent source of controversy well before the September Cabinet meeting.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/18/2025 01:33 ||
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[11127 views]
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#1
The fact, that Biden remained in office despite his known Serious Mental Issues, clearly shows our Elected Representatives FAILED US.
Or, it could be said the (R) & (D) 's agreed on 1 thing. That VP Harris taking the reins was far worse?
#5
Meanwhile, people are out on the streets screeching that Elon Musk was not elected.
Posted by: Matt ||
04/18/2025 10:55 Comments ||
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#6
My impression is that Jill is not competent enough to be night manager at a motel. Based on the results, maybe she was running the whole thing.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
04/18/2025 11:23 Comments ||
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#7
Was Blinken running things?
I'm hearing talks and rumors that deep state department was experimenting with a go-around of the Presidency in regards to usurping Executive Power and moving it over to the Secretary of State, to give the Secretary of State more Prime Minister like powers and authority, while decreasing the role and authority of the civil President.
Why is it just about every time one of these, "Holier than thou", minority Uber-liberal crusaders is caught violating the law with malicious intent. They run to the cameras, using the usual racial rhetoric from 50+ years ago as cover? Then try to incite others into civil and physical violence?
Has she forgotten she was so discriminated against, that she has a Doctorate LAW Degree, and rose to Attorney general of New York?
#5
She knows a political hit job when she sees one.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
04/18/2025 11:26 Comments ||
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#6
I juggle with the idea of using AI to imitate David Attenborough's voice and having AI Attenborough narrate these type Press Conferences and other type events.
[BREITBART] A Democrat House member called on Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump ...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and whatever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th and 47th President of the United States... over his administration's handling of a Supreme Court decision from earlier this month ordering the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man in the United States illegally but who was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador.
''Despite this ruling, the Supreme Court has no enforcement power, meaning the Trump administration can choose to ignore that demand,'' WGME reported.
U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg subsequently ruled this week that the court has probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for ''overstepping the ruling,'' the report states.
Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) posted to X after the ruling saying he thinks the administration's actions warrant Trump's impeachment.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/18/2025 01:54 ||
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[11131 views]
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#1
Pardon yourself President Trump, Then keep deporting the wretched hive of scum and villainy!
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the “death camps” & “torture”, now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!🍹 pic.twitter.com/r6VWc6Fjtn
[NYPOST] Alleged MS-13 gangbanger Kilmar Abrego Garcia was seen ''sipping margaritas'' with Sen. Chris Van Hollen Thursday amid his high-profile deportation battle, according to photos shared by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.
Bukele shared three pics of the Democratic Maryland politician meeting with Abrego Garcia — who was wrongly deported to El Salvador's notorious megaprison last month — lounging in the country's ''tropical paradise'' with what appeared to be salt-rimmed drinking glasses containing an unknown liquid and a cherry.
''Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the 'death camps' & 'torture', now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador,'' Bukele said in an X post Thursday night.
''Now that he's been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador's custody,'' Bukele, who said earlier this week that he has no intention of returning Abrego Garcia to the US, wrote in a separate post.
Van Hollen (D-MD) traveled to the Central American nation this week to push for the release of the illegal migrant and purported MS-13 member.
The excursion sparked outrage from the mother of murdered Maryland woman Rachel Morin, 37, who was ruthlessly killed by Victor Martinez-Hernandez, a different Salvadoran undocumented Democrat who was convicted Monday of the 2023 murder.
Failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has thrown her support behind Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the accused MS-13 gang member and alleged domestic abuser who was deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration.
#5
He has a deportation order. The immigration judge put a 'temporary' stay because he 'feared' for his safety back in El Salvador from rival gangs. Looks like that 'fear' was invalid.
#6
Nice of the PR team to shave Kilmor's arms, and wise to not video Hollen trying to tie a knot in the cherry stem. Take your hat off, sir....or are we totally skull tat'ed?
— who was wrongly deported to El Salvador's notorious megaprison last month —
Says who.
Doing a full court press, two weeks of seeding plus tapping controlled opposition media.
Hollen looks like he has Canadian rapper Snow playing in the background because he thinks it makes him look hard.
'After being dressed like a stereotypical gringo dork, Kilmor anxious to be returned to general population clothing.'
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
...46th president of the U.S. 
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and whatever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th and 47th President of the United States...
