US Treasury grants Elon Musk's team access to federal payment system

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The US Treasury Department has granted Elon Musk and members of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team access to the federal payment system, which manages trillions of dollars in government expenditures, press reports said on Sunday.

This system, essentially the federal government’s checkbook, holds sensitive financial data on hundreds of millions of Americans and is typically managed by career officials with limited authorized access, according to ABC News.

The decision to grant Musk’s team access has reportedly created divisions within the Treasury, resulting in the administrative leave of David Lebryk, the career official who had previously overseen the system.

Lebryk, who had resisted the move, announced his retirement on Friday, according to sources.

Legal experts suggest that any attempt by Musk or his team to interfere with congressional-approved payments would likely face legal challenges.

Treasury officials would also be required to review any proposed changes to the system before implementation.

The decision has drawn criticism from congressional leaders.

Senator Ron Wyden, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, warned that political interference in the payment system could severely harm the country’s economy, according to the outlet.

He expressed concerns that Musk’s team might use access to illegally withhold payments to federal programs following the administration’s recent freeze on federal grants and loans.

Neither the Treasury Department, the White House, nor DOGE have issued statements regarding the matter.