Elon Musk’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established under President Donald Trump’s administration, has been granted permission to access the US government’s federal payment system, according to The New York Times.
This decision aims to monitor and potentially curb government spending as part of Trump’s efforts to reduce federal expenses. Musk and his team are responsible for spotting inefficiencies and ensuring the responsible use of taxpayer funds.
Resignation of Senior Treasury Official Amidst Controversy
The move to grant Musk’s team access has sparked controversy, with David Lebryk, a senior official at the US Treasury Department, stepping down after reportedly disagreeing with Musk’s associates about their access to payment systems.
Sources claim that Musk’s allies, who now have access to the systems, have become official Treasury employees, undergone security checks, and been cleared for sensitive work. However, they do not have full operational control, and so far, no government payments have been blocked.
Musk’s Criticisms of Treasury’s Handling of Payments
Over the weekend, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to allege that Treasury officials were instructed to approve all payments, even those directed to fraudulent organizations or terrorist groups.
“They literally never denied a payment in their entire career. Not even once,” Musk wrote, expressing concerns about the lack of proper oversight in federal spending.
Trump and Musk’s Ambitious $2 Trillion Savings Goal
Both President Trump and Musk have claimed that cutting unnecessary expenses could result in up to $2 trillion in savings for the federal government. Their goal is to shrink the size of the government and eliminate wasteful expenditures.
Billionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was initially expected to co-lead the DOGE team with Musk, but he has since stepped aside to focus on his campaign for Governor of Ohio.
Since taking office on January 20, 2025, Trump has dismissed or reassigned hundreds of civil servants to streamline government operations.
Concerns About Data Security and Employee Access Restrictions
Musk’s aides, who are overseeing the US government’s human resources agency, have come under fire for restricting access to federal employee data.
As reported by Reuters, senior employees at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have had their access to crucial government databases revoked. The systems affected include the Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI), which holds sensitive information such as:
- Birth dates
- Social Security numbers
- Home addresses
- Employee performance data
- Salary information
Federal employees have raised concerns about the potential security risks involved, as there is no oversight of how Musk’s team is handling this sensitive data.
“We have no visibility into what they are doing with the computer and data systems,” one official expressed. “This lack of oversight creates serious cybersecurity concerns.”
What’s Next?
Musk’s growing influence within the US government is expected to spark further discussions about transparency and accountability.
While some believe Musk’s involvement will enhance efficiency, others worry that the absence of government oversight could create significant security vulnerabilities.
As the Trump administration continues its focus on reducing government spending, more policy shifts and changes to the structure of federal financial management could be on the horizon.
