Musk team given access to sensitive federal payment system - reports

 

The Trump administration has reportedly granted access to the federal payments system, which oversees the distribution of trillions of dollars in government funds annually, to associates of billionaire Elon Musk. Reports indicate that incoming Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has permitted members of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge)—a team within the administration, rather than an official government department—to access sensitive personal information pertaining to millions of Americans. This division manages nearly $6 trillion in payments for various programs, including Social Security, government salaries, and funds allocated by Congress. 

The White House and the Treasury Department have not yet responded to requests for comments. Notably, access to the payment system was granted on the same day that long-serving Treasury official David Lebryk was placed on administrative leave and subsequently retired. The New York Times reported that Mr. Lebryk had previously opposed allowing "Musk's lieutenants" access to the department's payment system, which is responsible for disbursing funds on behalf of the federal government. 

Musk, though not an official government employee, has been afforded considerable latitude by President Donald Trump to reduce federal expenditures. He played a pivotal role in establishing Doge to facilitate this initiative, bringing in allies from his private enterprises and Silicon Valley to support the effort. Among those reportedly working at the Treasury is Tom Krause, a Silicon Valley executive. Typically, only a select few Treasury employees are involved in the payments system.

In a letter to Bessent, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, expressed significant concern, stating, "To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy." He further cautioned that mismanagement of these payment systems could jeopardize the full faith and credit of the United States.

Meanwhile, the federal workforce is contending with multiple executive orders issued by Trump since he took office. Employees have received communications from the Office of Personnel Management urging them to report colleagues who may be attempting to "disguise" diversity initiatives, alongside an offer for paid resignations—an offer that has raised suspicions among many employees. Agencies have been forced to eliminate references to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as transgender and LGBT individuals, from their websites to align with the executive orders.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are designed to enhance participation in the workplace from individuals of various backgrounds. Proponents argue that these initiatives address historical and ongoing discrimination and underrepresentation of certain groups, particularly racial minorities. However, critics contend that such programs can themselves be discriminatory. Additionally, on Saturday, the website for the United States Agency for International Development, which allocates billions in global aid, appeared to be nonfunctional.