Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has granted representatives from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to the federal payment system, a move that gives Elon Musk and his team significant oversight over government spending.
The decision, made late Friday, has raised eyebrows across Washington, as it could enable Musk’s team to monitor—and potentially limit—federal disbursements.
The change followed a tense standoff between Musk’s allies and a senior Treasury official, David Lebryk, who resisted granting them access. Lebryk, a long-serving civil servant, was placed on leave and abruptly retired on Friday after the dispute, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The federal payment system is a crucial tool, responsible for distributing funds on behalf of the entire U.S. government. Some fear that this new access could provide the Trump administration with another avenue to restrict or control money already approved by Congress—something that has historically faced legal challenges.
President Trump has reportedly given Musk wide authority to identify ways to slash government spending. Musk, who has increasingly turned his focus to federal financial processes, criticized the Treasury Department on social media Saturday, accusing it of failing to reject enough payments as fraudulent or improper.
According to insiders, Musk’s allies were made official Treasury employees, passed background checks, and secured necessary security clearances. While they now have access to the system, they haven’t yet gained operational control, and no payments have been blocked so far. Officials claim the initiative is focused on auditing for improper payments rather than arbitrarily halting funds. Career Treasury attorneys reportedly signed off on the access, emphasizing that any systemic changes would undergo a thorough review and testing process.
The Department of Government Efficiency is not an official government agency but a special team created at Trump’s request and led by Musk. The group’s mission is to cut federal spending, shrink the government workforce, and streamline bureaucratic processes. Most of the team members were personally recruited by Musk and his aides.
As Musk’s role in federal operations grows, critics worry about the broader implications of private influence over public financial systems. The situation is being closely monitored as legal and political questions arise about the extent of Musk’s control over government spending.
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