DOGE Accessing US Fed Payment System? Here's What Elon Musk Has To Say About It
Musk took to his social media platform X, alleging systemic flaws within the Treasury's payment approval process
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently addressed concerns over claims that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accessed sensitive federal payment systems, including Social Security and Medicare data. The task force, established under former President Donald Trump to streamline government operations, reportedly gained entry to critical Treasury databases, sparking intense scrutiny, according to a New York Times report.
US Senate Concerns Over Payment System Manipulation
Senator Ron Wyden, the leading Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, raised alarms in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He warned against possible attempts by Musk's associates to interfere with payment processes, potentially withholding funds from key federal programs.
Wyden emphasised that maintaining impartiality in financial operations is essential to avoid significant economic disruptions.
Treasury Official Resigns Amid Access Dispute
David Lebryk, the long-serving Acting Deputy Treasury Secretary, resigned following DOGE's request for access to the department's systems.
While his resignation letter did not explicitly mention the task force, reports suggested that the controversy surrounding DOGE contributed to his departure. "The Fiscal Service performs some of the most vital functions in government," Lebryk wrote in his parting note.
Musk Responds to Allegations
In response to the uproar, Musk took to his social media platform X, alleging systemic flaws within the Treasury's payment approval process. "The @DOGE team found that Treasury officials were instructed to approve every payment — even those to fraudulent or terrorist groups."
The @DOGE team discovered, among other things, that payment approval officers at Treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 1, 2025
They literally never denied a payment in their entire career.
Not even once. https://t.co/kInoGWdw4C
"They literally never denied a payment in their careers," Musk claimed.
What Is DOGE?
Despite its formal-sounding name, the Department of Government Efficiency is not an official government body.
It was established by Trump as an advisory task force led by Musk to identify cost-cutting measures and promote efficiency across federal agencies.
As the situation unfolds, concerns over the role of external advisory groups in handling government operations continue to fuel debate in Washington.
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