A task force run by Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk under the Trump administration has gained access to highly sensitive U.S. Treasury payment systems, including those used for Social Security and Medicare, according to multiple reports.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created to slash federal spending and identify programs for elimination, now has unprecedented insight into taxpayer payment systems—a move that has sparked immediate backlash from lawmakers and federal agencies.
Concerns Over Political Interference in Federal Payments
The New York Times first reported DOGE’s access to the Treasury’s payment infrastructure, and two anonymous sources later confirmed the news to the Associated Press.
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In response, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, sent a formal letter of concern to Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, warning that Musk’s involvement could jeopardize critical government payments.
“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.”
— Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Wyden expressed fears that Musk’s team could use their access to withhold payments for key federal programs, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Treasury Official Resigns Amid DOGE’s Data Access
The news of DOGE’s expanded influence within the Treasury Department coincides with the resignation of David Lebryk, the acting Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, who had served the department for over 30 years.
According to The Washington Post, Lebryk stepped down after Musk’s DOGE team requested access to Treasury’s Fiscal Service systems, which handle billions in payments daily.
In a farewell letter to Treasury employees, Lebryk praised his colleagues but did not explicitly mention Musk or DOGE’s growing involvement in the agency.
However, Musk himself addressed the resignation on his social media platform, X, claiming that Treasury officials were approving fraudulent payments without review.
“The @DOGE team discovered, among other things, that payment approval officers at Treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups. They literally never denied a payment in their entire career. Not even once.”
— Elon Musk, via X
Musk did not provide any evidence to support his claim.
DOGE’s Role: Slashing Federal Jobs & Programs
Originally spearheaded by Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, DOGE was formed to reduce federal spending and overhaul government bureaucracy. The initiative has focused on:
✅ Cutting federal jobs: DOGE has pushed for mass layoffs across government agencies.
✅ Reducing regulatory oversight: The task force aims to eliminate thousands of regulations.
✅ Slashing funding for federal programs: Areas at risk include welfare, environmental protections, and labor enforcement.
Ramaswamy has since left the initiative, reportedly to consider a run for governor of Ohio.
What’s Next? Will Social Security and Medicare Payments Be Affected?
With DOGE’s direct access to Treasury payment systems, concerns are mounting over whether Musk’s team could freeze, delay, or cancel payments.
Some key questions remain unanswered:
- Will Musk and DOGE alter the way Social Security and Medicare payments are processed?
- Could DOGE’s findings be used to justify cutting more federal programs?
- How much real authority does DOGE have over federal payments?
As scrutiny grows, lawmakers and watchdog groups are expected to demand more transparency about DOGE’s role and the full extent of its access to Treasury data.
For now, Americans reliant on Social Security, Medicare, and other federal payments may face uncertainty as Musk’s team gains unprecedented control over federal financial systems.
