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Billionaire Elon Musk and his government efficiency team have secured access to the U.S. Treasury Department’s payment system, resolving a prolonged standoff, according to The New York Times.
Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was appointed by President Donald Trump to identify waste and fraud in government spending. His request for access to Treasury’s payment infrastructure, which processes over $6 trillion annually, faced resistance from career Treasury official David Lebryk, who was placed on leave and later retired. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ultimately granted Musk’s team access on Friday.
The payment system contains sensitive financial data, including Social Security payments, tax refunds, and government contractor transactions. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden expressed concerns over potential conflicts of interest, noting that Musk’s companies could be impacted by government payments. In a post on Bluesky, Wyden claimed DOGE had been given full access, raising concerns about political interference in federal funds distribution.
In a letter to Bessent, Wyden warned that tampering with the system could harm the economy. Meanwhile, Musk alleged in a post on X that Treasury officials had previously approved payments to fraudulent and terrorist organizations, though he provided no evidence.
The Department of Government Efficiency is not an official federal agency but operates under Trump’s directive from the White House. Critics fear Musk’s involvement could politicize government spending, while supporters argue his oversight will help eliminate corruption. The situation continues to spark debate over transparency and financial control in the U.S. government.
