Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team have gained access to the highly sensitive U.S. Treasury payment system, raising alarm among critics about potential risks to national security and privacy.
The Treasury’s payment system, which manages the distribution of over $6 trillion in government funds annually, is vital for the disbursement of payments like Social Security, Medicare benefits, and federal salaries. Critics argue that giving Musk’s nongovernmental team access to this system is a breach of security, potentially exposing the personal information of millions of Americans and the details of public contractors, some of whom compete directly with Musk’s own companies.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), a member of the Senate’s Finance Committee, expressed concern in a post on Bluesky, warning that the system now falls under the control of Musk and his team. According to Wyden, this includes access to crucial data such as “Social Security and Medicare benefits, grants, payments to contractors… all of it.”
The decision was confirmed by Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary under Donald Trump, who acknowledged that Musk’s team has “full access” to the system. DOGE, despite not being an official government entity, was created under Trump’s authority, tasked with finding ways to cut government spending and improve efficiency.
The database, historically accessible only by a select few officials, was previously safeguarded due to the sensitive nature of the information it holds. However, Musk and his team have insisted on gaining access, despite opposition from figures like David Lebryk, the Treasury’s top civil servant, who was reportedly forced into retirement after clashing with DOGE members over this matter.
Wyden, who attempted to prevent Musk’s access, has voiced serious concerns about the potential political manipulation of the system, which he argues could cause “severe damage to our country and the economy.” He also warned of the national security risk posed by Musk’s business ties to China, suggesting that granting access increases the possibility of Chinese intelligence obtaining critical data.
As the controversy continues, concerns grow over the potential cybersecurity threats and conflicts of interest that Musk’s involvement with the Treasury’s sensitive database could create.
