Unelected Elon Musk And A Tesla Employee Have Access to Federal Payment Systems

Elon Musk’s Task Force Gains Access to Sensitive Treasury Payment Systems

WASHINGTON — The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force led by Tesla CEO and Trump adviser Elon Musk, has gained access to sensitive Treasury payment systems, including those handling Social Security and Medicare disbursements, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The move, first reported by The New York Times, raises concerns about potential misuse of taxpayer data and politically motivated interference in federal payments. DOGE, established under the Trump administration to streamline government operations, has focused on eliminating federal jobs, cutting regulations, and reducing spending.

Concerns Over Treasury Access

The revelation has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. Senate Finance Committee ranking Democrat Ron Wyden expressed alarm in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, warning that Musk’s team “may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs.”

“These payment systems are critical to millions of Americans, and any political tampering could have disastrous consequences for the country and the economy,” Wyden wrote.

The development follows the resignation of Treasury’s acting Deputy Secretary David Lebryk, who had served for more than 30 years. The Washington Post reported that Lebryk stepped down after DOGE requested access to Treasury data. In his farewell letter to employees, he praised the agency’s work but did not directly mention DOGE’s involvement.

Musk’s Response

Musk addressed the controversy on his social media platform, X, claiming that Treasury payment officers were instructed to approve all payments, even those flagged for fraud or linked to terrorist organizations. “They literally never denied a payment in their entire career. Not even once,” Musk wrote, though he provided no evidence to support the claim.

DOGE’s Expanding Role

DOGE was originally co-led by Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who promised to slash billions from the federal budget and significantly downsize government agencies. Ramaswamy has since left the group as he considers a gubernatorial run in Ohio.

While the full extent of DOGE’s influence over federal financial systems remains unclear, the access to Treasury payment infrastructure has sparked bipartisan concerns about potential overreach and the risk of politically motivated fiscal decisions. Treasury officials have not publicly commented on the specifics of DOGE’s involvement.

What Comes Next?

With Musk’s growing role in government policy, watchdog groups and lawmakers are expected to scrutinize DOGE’s actions closely. Any direct interference in Social Security, Medicare, or other federal disbursements could trigger legal challenges and congressional hearings in the coming weeks.

For now, the question remains: How much control does an unelected billionaire and his team have over critical government payment systems?

Share this post :

Comments on this Article:

😊 😂 😍 👍 🎉 💯 😢 😎 ❤️

No comments available for this post.