Treasury Watchdog Probes Musk DOGE’s Access to U.S. Payment System/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Treasury Department’s watchdog has launched an audit into the security of the federal payment system amid concerns over Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team’s access. Democratic lawmakers are demanding transparency after conflicting reports on the extent of DOGE’s access, raising fears of data misuse and policy overreach.
Treasury Investigates Musk’s DOGE Team: Quick Looks
- Audit Announced: Treasury’s inspector general launches review of federal payment system security
- Key Concerns: DOGE team’s access to government financial data under Musk’s leadership
- Democratic Pushback: Senators Warren, Wyden, and Reed demand accountability
- Access Discrepancies: Treasury initially downplayed DOGE’s system access before admitting code-editing ability
- Controversial Figure: Former DOGE employee Marko Elez resigned over racist posts, later backed by Trump
- Legal Fallout: Advocacy groups and ex-Treasury secretaries warn of risks, lawsuits filed
Treasury Watchdog Probes Musk DOGE’s Access to U.S. Payment System
Deep Look
The Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General has officially launched an audit into the security of the federal government’s payment system, following concerns that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team was granted improper access.
The audit comes after a push from Democratic lawmakers, who questioned the transparency of the Treasury Department’s handling of DOGE under President Donald Trump’s administration. The investigation will examine the past two years of transactions and review Musk’s claims of “alleged fraudulent payments.”
Security Concerns and Political Scrutiny
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was introduced under the Trump administration as an initiative to streamline government operations. However, its aggressive actions—including attempts to cut federal jobs and access sensitive government databases—have alarmed lawmakers.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Loren J. Sciurba, Treasury’s deputy inspector general, confirmed the audit:
“We expect to begin our fieldwork immediately… Given the breadth of this effort, the audit will likely not be completed until August. However, if critical issues arise, we will issue interim reports.”
While Musk claims DOGE is working to identify fraud and cut government waste, critics argue that his access to financial systems raises serious ethical and security concerns.
Conflicting Treasury Statements Add to the Controversy
The Treasury Department has provided conflicting accounts of DOGE’s access to the payment system. Initially, officials stated the access was “read-only,” but later acknowledged that a DOGE team member had editing privileges—allegedly granted by accident.
Adding to the controversy, Marko Elez, a 25-year-old DOGE employee who was responsible for accessing the system, resigned after racist social media posts surfaced. Despite this, Musk, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance have called for his reinstatement.
Democratic Senators Demand Answers
Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Jack Reed (D-RI) have been vocal in their opposition to DOGE’s unchecked access. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, they accused the department of lacking transparency:
“Your lack of candor about these events is deeply troubling… You need to provide a clear, complete, and public accounting of who accessed the systems, what they were doing, and why they were doing it.”
Despite their demands, the Treasury Department has refused to brief key lawmakers, citing ongoing litigation as the reason for withholding information.
Legal and Institutional Backlash
The watchdog’s audit is just one of several legal challenges facing DOGE.
- Advocacy groups and labor unions have filed lawsuits over the potential unauthorized access to Treasury’s payment systems.
- Five former Treasury secretaries have warned that DOGE’s unchecked power could jeopardize critical government payments.
- Experts fear Musk’s involvement could lead to privatization of government financial systems or misuse of sensitive taxpayer data.
Trump’s Administration Defends DOGE
Despite the growing backlash, the Trump administration continues to support DOGE’s role in government restructuring.
Musk has dismissed concerns as politically motivated, stating that DOGE is simply working to eliminate inefficiencies and save taxpayers money. However, his lack of transparency and history of controversial decisions—such as attempting to fire tens of thousands of federal employees—has fueled further skepticism.
What Happens Next?
The Treasury Department’s audit will likely continue through August 2025, with interim updates if serious issues arise. In the meantime, legal challenges and political debates will shape the future of DOGE’s role in the federal government.
With concerns about data privacy, government oversight, and Musk’s growing influence in U.S. policy, this investigation is expected to remain a major flashpoint in Washington.
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