WASHINGTON, Feb 2: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by President Donald Trump’s billionaire adviser and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has reportedly gained access to critical Treasury information, including Social Security and Medicare payment systems, as per two individuals acquainted with the situation.
This initiative by DOGE, a task force established by the Trump administration to streamline federal employment, eliminate programs, and reduce federal regulations, suggests it may have substantial authority to access vital taxpayer information, among other considerations.
The New York Times was the first to report on the group’s access to extensive federal payment systems. The two sources who spoke to The Associated Press did so under the condition of anonymity as they were not permitted to disclose details publicly.
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing apprehension that “officials connected to Musk may have aimed to access these payment systems to unlawfully withhold payments from various programs.”
“To be straightforward, these payment systems are absolutely crucial, and any politically motivated interference could lead to significant harm to our nation and economy,” Wyden stated.
This development follows the resignation of David Lebryk, the acting Deputy Secretary of Treasury, who stepped down after over 30 years of service. The Washington Post reported that Lebryk resigned following a request for access to sensitive Treasury information made by Musk and his DOGE organization.
“The Fiscal Service carries out essential functions for the government,” Lebryk remarked in a letter to Treasury staff sent out on Friday. “Our work may not be widely recognized by the public, but it is nonetheless critically important. I am thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with some of the country’s most adept operational personnel.”
The letter did not reference a DOGE request for Treasury payment access.
In response to a post on his social media platform X regarding Lebryk’s departure, Musk stated on Saturday: “The @DOGE team uncovered, among other findings, that payment approval officials at Treasury were directed to always approve payments, even to entities identified as fraudulent or terrorist groups. They have never denied a payment in their entire careers. Not once.”
No evidence was provided to support this assertion.
Initially, DOGE was led by Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who pledged to cut billions from the federal budget and implement “massive workforce reductions throughout the federal bureaucracy.”
Ramaswamy has since departed from DOGE as he considers running for governor of Ohio. (AP)
