Community members protest DOGE's access to Social Security during federal hearing in Baltimore

Working and retired community members rallied outside of a Baltimore courthouse Tuesday as the White House's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) attended a hearing over its access to the Social Security Administration. DOGE is led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.   

The hearing comes after a motion was filed on behalf of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Alliance for Retired Americans, and the American Federation of Teachers (ATF). 

The motion was filed after a federal judge temporarily blocked DOGE from accessing sensitive information at the Social Security Administration (SSA) in March. The federal judge said a group of unions challenged DOGE's access to those SSA systems, claiming it violated the Privacy Act. 

That block is still in effect, despite opposition from leaders at the Social Security Administration and an executive order from President Trump that granted federal agencies full access to unclassified data to eliminate waste and fraud.

Union leaders hope the judge heard them loud and clear -- hands off social security.

"Why is Elon Musk in our business? Why is he in our Social Security? Why is he in our data? He was not an elected official; therefore, he needs to get out," said Diana Lyles, a retiree in AFSCME.

Attorneys for the union members called it an "unprecedented overreach," according to court documents.

"This billionaire has no right to access my data or anyone else's data. It is illegal, and she needs to know that we feel that way. That is the law," said Zee Coward, a retiree with AFSCME.

Protesters are also worried about the future of their benefits if DOGE is allowed to continue its work.

"I am counting on my Social Security," Coward said. "I am counting on it to help me pay my bills, pay for prescriptions, and without it, what am I going to do?"

Because of the restraining order, DOGE cannot access the data. Judge Ellen Hollander hopes to have a decision by Thursday. 

DOGE's effort to save federal funds

The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is led by Elon Musk. At the direction of the White House, DOGE aims to lower federal spending, which has included cutting personnel and funding.

The task force has implemented layoffs at federal agencies and facilitated funding cuts for departments, which have affected universities and research facilities across the country. 

As part of its efforts to root out waste and fraud, DOGE accessed the data of millions of Americans through the Social Security Administration. 

The move prompted several lawsuits, with many claiming the Treasury Department allowed unlawful access to private data. 

DOGE argued that limited access to SSA data would be impractical for employees, and said all DOGE employees had completed the required training and agreements to be able to access the data, CBS News reported.

Community members protest

On Tuesday, community members protested outside of a Baltimore courthouse as the federal hearing was going on inside. 

The protestors voiced their concerns about the future of Social Security. 

Some protesters questioned why Elon Musk and DOGE have access to SSA data. 

"He's affecting our Social Security, he's basically trying to turn it upside down, letting go of employees," Diana Lyles said as she represented AFSCME. "People are not getting the answers that they need as far as their benefits." 

Lyles also raised concerns about recent layoffs at the Social Security Administration, which she said has impacted services. 

"We're making sure that Social Security thrives and survives for everyone within the United States who is entitled to it," Lyles said.