Democrats promise bill to block 'unlawful meddling' in Treasury systems after Musk allies gain access
Democratic leaders in both chambers on Monday vowed to introduce legislation to “stop unlawful meddling in the Treasury Department's payment systems.”
Democrats have been sounding the alarm over reports that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire tech investor Elon Musk, was given access to the Treasury Department's sensitive payment systems.
“We must protect people's Social Security payments, their Medicare payments, tax refunds, from any possible tampering by DOGE or any other unauthorized entities,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters at a press conference on Monday.
David Lebryk, who was the Treasury’s highest-ranking career official, resigned following a clash with Musk over access to the systems, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill on condition of anonymity.
Reports also emerged over the weekend that officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also blocked Musk’s allies from gaining access to secure systems.
President Trump said on Monday that Musk “can't do and won't do anything without our approval,” but he added that his administration will “give him the approval where appropriate.”
“We're trying to shrink government, and he can probably shrink it as well as anybody else, if not better, where we think there's a conflict or if there's a problem, we won't let him go near it,” Trump said, but he added that Musk “has some very good ideas.”
Democrats are targeting Musk as he emerges as a key player in the Trump administration’s cost-cutting efforts.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) earlier Monday released a "dear colleague" letter laying out a 10-point plan for combating Trump, including a bill targeting "unlawful access" to the Treasury Department payment system.
Democratic leaders are accusing the president of overstepping his powers on spending. Recent efforts by Trump to freeze federal aid have also been tied up in the courts as critics raise questions of legality.
“Let's not mince words here: An unelected, unaccountable billionaire with expansive conflicts of interest, deep ties to China and an indiscreet axe to grind against perceived enemies is hijacking our nation's most sensitive financial data systems and its checkbook so that he can illegally block funds to our constituents based on the slightest whim or wildest conspiracy funds,” Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.), top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said to reporters on Monday, referring to Musk.
“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,” she said. “But why on Earth should we believe that, particularly when he is saying the exact opposite, loudly and repeatedly, for everyone to see?”
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Warren Questions Bessent Over Musk Access to Treasury Payment System
In a letter to the Treasury secretary, the Democratic senator warned against meddling with a system that processes trillions of dollars of transactions.The New York Times - 16h -
Warren presses Treasury secretary over Musk access to payments system
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday demanding to know what access Elon Musk was given to the federal payments system and what safeguards were ...The Hill - 9h -
Treasury Dept. gives Elon Musk's team access to federal payment system: Sources
If Elon Musk or his DOGE team were to attempt to block federal payments, it would likely face legal challenges given the money is approved by Congress.ABC News - 10h -
DOGE task force gains access to U.S. Treasury data, payment systems
News comes after departure of Treasury's acting Deputy Secretary David Lebryk after more than 30 years of service.CBS News - 11h -
USAID security leaders removed after refusing Elon Musk's DOGE employees access to secure systems
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s director of security and his deputy were placed on administrative leave Saturday after they tried to prevent employees from the Department of ...NBC News - 19h -
USAID leaders escorted out of building after blocking DOGE access to secure systems
Senior officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were placed on administrative leave after they refused to turn over classified material to teams from the Department of ...The Hill - 1d -
Musk vows to cancel grants after gaining access to US Treasury payment system
System disburses trillions of dollars in US government spending each year, including social securityFinancial Times - 1d -
Elon Musk’s Team Now Has Access to Treasury’s Payments System
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave Mr. Musk’s representatives at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency a powerful tool to monitor and potentially limit government spending.The New York Times - 2d -
Top Treasury official retires over DOGE request for access to payment systems
David Lebryk, a top Treasury Department nonpolitical career official, retired Friday after clashing with Elon Musk allies over government payment systems, a source familiar with the matter told The ...The Hill - 3d
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