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By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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The Treasury Department has defended the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) access to its highly sensitive payment system, explaining that they have "read-only access."
In a letter, responding to Senator Ron Wyden, an official from the Treasury, said that the ongoing "review" from DOGE has "not caused payments for obligations such as Social Security and Medicare to be delayed or re-routed."
Why It Matters
Democratic lawmakers have raised serious concerns about DOGE's involvement with the payment system and the potential risks to security or for missed payments for Social Security.
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Some fear that Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, may try to limit or withhold payments on political grounds.
Two unions and an advocacy group have already filed a lawsuit to prevent DOGE from accessing the payment system, which manages Social Security, Medicaid and other government operations.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, argues that Musk's team is using the system in violation of multiple privacy laws, including 1974's Privacy Act, and other regulations that dictate who is authorized to access the network.
What To Know
Tuesday's letter, from the unnamed Treasury official, stated that Tom Krause, the CEO of Cloud Software Group, who is working at Treasury as a "special government employee," has read-only access, as does his staff.
"Treasury staff members working with Tom Krause, a Treasury employee, will have read-only access to the coded data of the Fiscal Service's payment systems in order to continue this operational efficiency assessment," the letter states,
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent granted the access on Friday allowing Musk and his team entry into a system that handles about 90 percent of all federal payments, around 1.2 billion transactions a year, including Social Security and Medicaid.
DOGE's role, which was previously focused on reducing the number of federal workers, slashing programs, and cutting regulations, now extends to scrutinizing taxpayer transactions.
What People Are Saying
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Senator Ron Wyden, who sent the original letter to the Treasury that prompted Tuesday's response, said: "I'm sure the Treasury Secretary and the president want to save face and downplay the risks as Elon Musk seizes power, but nothing they're saying is believable or trustworthy. The American people can see what's happening, and Secretary Bessent is asking them not to believe what's playing out right in front of their eyes."
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said, "Some Republicans are trying to suggest that Musk only has 'viewing access' to Treasury's highly sensitive payment system as if that's acceptable either. But why on earth should we believe that — particularly when he is saying the exact opposite loudly and repeatedly for everyone to see?"
Trump on Monday in the Oval Office: "Elon can't do and won't do anything without our approval."
This article is developing and additional information will be added.
Update 02/04/25 8:07 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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