Fear grips DC as Musk gains access to sensitive Treasury Department payment system that controls $5TRILLION
By JAMES CIRRONE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: 13:20 EST, 2 February 2025 | Updated: 14:54 EST, 2 February 2025
Fear gripped Washington this morning as it emerged Elon Musk had gained access to the Treasury Department's payment system.
The system is run by non-political career civil servants and controls trillions of dollars of government funds that go to programs like Social Security and Medicare. Any interruption in its operation would spark widespread economic failure.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) the green light to have full access to the payments system late on Friday.
It was not immediately clear why Musk wants access to the system, which handles around $5trillion annually, but it could provide the Trump administration another means to target wasteful spending.
It comes after a standoff this week with top Treasury official David Lebryk, who was in charge of the system through Donald Trump's first term and during Biden's tenure. Lebryk had resisted Musk's attempts to access the system. He was abruptly placed on leave before announcing his retirement on Friday.
Democrats and the liberal press erupted over Musk's move - with the likes of Sen. Elizabeth Warren calling for Congress to investigate Musk's new power, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal saying the ordeal 'reeks of corruption.'
The allies of Musk who were granted access were reportedly made employees of the Treasury Department and were greenlit through government background checks. They've also obtained the necessary security clearances, according to the NYT.
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14352411/elon-musk-gains-access-treasury-department-payment-system.html
