US Treasury Grants Elon Musk’s DOGE Team Access to Federal Payment System
The US Treasury Department has granted Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team access to the federal payment system, a significant move that has raised concerns over political influence in the management of government expenditures.
This system, which manages trillions of dollars in federal spending, typically operates under strict oversight by career officials with limited access, but Musk’s team now has access to sensitive financial data related to hundreds of millions of Americans, according to reports.
The decision has created divisions within the Treasury, leading to the administrative leave of David Lebryk, the career official who previously oversaw the system. Lebryk, who opposed the move, announced his retirement last week.
Legal experts warn that any attempts by Musk or his team to alter or interfere with payments approved by Congress could face legal challenges, and Treasury officials would be required to review proposed changes before implementation.
The move has sparked backlash from lawmakers, particularly from Senator Ron Wyden, who expressed concerns about the potential for political interference in the payment system, which he argues could harm the economy.
Wyden has specifically warned that the DOGE team might use its access to illegally withhold payments to federal programs, following recent freezes on federal grants and loans. Neither the Treasury Department, the White House, nor DOGE have commented on the matter.
