An appeals court this week dismissed the Trump administration’s appeal of a lower court order that blocked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from obtaining Social Security data.
In an order on Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed the government’s appeal and argued that the government lacks the jurisdiction to bring the appeal. The case will now proceed in a district court.
“Having assessed the contention of the parties, this appeal is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction,” the brief order said.
A concurring opinion issued by an appeals court judge was included in the order, which reads: “In resolution of the pending motion for a preliminary injunction, the parties should explain in specific detail the basis for their respective arguments. Generalized explanations are unlikely to meet the burdens of proof required….