Elon Musk’s Team Gains Access to US Federal Payment System, Sparking Concerns Over Security and Oversight
The Trump administration has granted members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) access to the federal payments system, which processes trillions of dollars in government funds annually, according to US media reports. The move has raised alarms over potential security risks and political interference in critical financial infrastructure.
Doge, a team within the administration led by Musk, is not an official government department but has been tasked with slashing federal spending. Reports indicate that Doge members have also been given access to sensitive personal information of millions of Americans, leading to internal conflicts at agencies like the Treasury Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Turmoil at Treasury and USAID
The Treasury division accessed by Doge handles nearly $6 trillion in payments for programs such as Social Security, government salaries, and congressional appropriations. The access was reportedly granted by incoming Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday, the same day longtime Treasury official David Lebryk was placed on administrative leave and abruptly retired. Lebryk had reportedly resisted allowing Musk’s team into the payment system, citing concerns over security and operational integrity.
At USAID, which distributes billions in global aid, two senior security officials were placed on leave after a standoff with Doge members seeking access to a secure facility, known as a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility). Such facilities are used to store and share highly classified information. USAID’s website has been offline since Saturday, and its X (formerly Twitter) account appears to have been deactivated.
Katie Miller, a spokesperson for Doge, stated on X that “no classified material was accessed without proper security clearances.” However, the situation has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. US Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, warned in a letter to Bessent that “politically-motivated meddling” in the payment systems could “threaten the full faith and credit of the United States.”
Musk’s Role and Controversial Statements
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and owner of X, has been a vocal critic of federal agencies. On X, he has called USAID “evil” and accused Treasury employees of “breaking the law every hour of every day.” Musk’s involvement in Doge has added to concerns about the team’s influence and motives, particularly given his history of controversial statements and actions.
Doge’s mission to reduce federal spending has led to clashes with agency officials, who fear that the team’s efforts could disrupt critical operations. The team includes allies from Musk’s private companies and Silicon Valley, further blurring the lines between government and private sector interests.
Broader Impact on Federal Workforce
The Trump administration’s executive orders have also caused upheaval across the federal workforce. Employees have been asked to report colleagues involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the administration has targeted for elimination. Many agencies have removed references to DEI, transgender, and LGBT-related content from their websites to comply with the orders.
For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has taken down links to information about LGBT health and mpox vaccines, leaving broken pages in their place. DEI programs, which aim to promote workplace participation by underrepresented groups, have faced criticism from some who argue they can be discriminatory, while supporters say they address historical inequities.
A Growing Controversy
The granting of access to the federal payment system to Musk’s team has sparked a broader debate over transparency, security, and the role of private sector figures in government operations. Critics argue that the move undermines the integrity of critical financial systems and risks politicizing federal agencies.
As the situation unfolds, lawmakers and federal employees are calling for greater oversight and accountability to ensure that the payment systems and sensitive information remain secure. The controversy highlights the challenges of balancing efficiency initiatives with the need to protect public trust and operational stability in government institutions.