Treasury Probes Musk’s Payment System Scrutiny Amid Security Concerns
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Treasury Department is investigating the security controls for the federal government’s payment system following criticism from Democratic senators over the access granted to government advisor Elon Musk. The system handles over $6 trillion in payments annually on behalf of federal agencies and holds personal data of millions of Americans who receive Social Security payments, tax refunds, and other funds from the government.
Inconsistent Statements on Data Access
There have been conflicting accounts about the extent of access that Musk’s government efficiency initiative team, known as DOGE, has to this data.
- Initially, the Treasury Department stated that DOGE members could only read the data.
- Later, it was reported that a DOGE member had the ability to edit the system’s production key for a brief period.
- Finally, an administration official acknowledged that DOGE had been inadvertently given editing privileges.
Investigation into Musk’s Fraud Allegations
In addition to the security concerns, the investigation will also examine allegations of fraudulent payments raised by Musk, according to a letter from Loren Sciurba, the deputy inspector general for the Treasury Department, obtained by the Associated Press. The probe is expected to conclude by August, with interim reports released if significant findings emerge.
DOGE’s Auditing Efforts
Musk’s team has been actively scrutinizing various U.S. agencies, claiming to have uncovered billions of dollars in waste and fraud. However, some of the examples he cited have been proven false, and no written documentation has been released to support his claims.
Legislative Scrutiny
Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden have expressed concerns about the lack of oversight over Musk’s data access and the potential security risks it poses. They have called for a "thorough and independent investigation" into the matter.
Musk’s Response
Musk has defended DOGE’s work, stating that it has identified significant waste and inefficiencies within the federal government. However, he has not provided specific details or evidence to support these claims.
Ongoing Updates
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
