Treasury tells Congress that Doge has ‘read only’ access to payment systems

Washington (AP) – a Treasury Department Officially wrote a letter Tuesday to federal legislators who said a technical director working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency will have “Read-Only Access” to the government’s payment system.

The official sent the letter of concerns From members of Congress, who Dog’s commitment to the payment system for the federal government could lead to security risks or unanswered payments for programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Legislators are also concerned that Musk, a non -selected citizen, is exercising too much power within the US government and states openly on its social media platform, which DOGE will close payments to organizations.

DOGE, A Trump -Administration Task Force that is assigned to find ways to Fire federal workersCut Programs and Slash Federal Regulations have raised concerns about its intentions and breach of career officials in several agencies. Democratic legislators have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and public responsibility and say that Musk’s people can illegally detain payments that fit their political agenda.

The Treasury official said the ongoing “review” has “not caused payments for commitments such as social security and Medicare to be delayed or redirected.”

The letter said that Tom Krause, also listed online as CEO of the Cloud Software Group, was working on Treasury as a “special employee in the government” who exposes him to less strict rules of ethics and financial information than other workers. The letter also said that Krause is conducting the efforts in coordination with career treasurers.

Krause did not respond to an Associated Press phone call request for commenting on his commitment to DOGE and TRASURY DEPARTMENT.

Treasury’s payments are managed by fiscal policy, which implements over 1.2 billion transactions annually and accounts for 90% of the federal payments. The official said the review is about payment integrity.

However, some Democrats are not convinced About the notion that DOGE, MUSK AND KRAUSE have read -protected access.

“Some Republicans are trying to suggest that Musk has only” seen access “to Treasury’s very sensitive payment system, as if acceptable,” said late. Patty Murray, (D-Wash.), Vice-President of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in a statement.

“But why on earth should we believe it – especially when he says the opposite loudly and repeatedly for everyone to see?”

For example, Musk has tweeted on its social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that Doge has closed payments to a Lutheran charity. “Corruption and waste are rooted in real time,” Musk said on xadds that DOGE “quickly shuts down” payments to the charity.

At least one trial of a group of unions and advocates have been submitted to prevent the Treasury from giving DODE and MUSK’s access to the payment systems.

Dog’s access to the agency’s payment systems came after Treasury’s acting deputy secretary David Lebrik retired from his position in Treasury after more than 30 years of service. The Washington Post on Friday reported that Lebrik withdrew from his position after Musk and his Doge organization requested access to sensitive state treasury data.

“Fiscal Service performs some of the most vital functions of the government,” Lebrik said in a letter to the Treasury employees. “Our work may be unknown to most of the public, but that doesn’t mean it’s not unusually important. I am grateful to have been able to work with some of the country’s best and most talented operating staff. “

The letter to legislators was sent on Tuesday afternoon, while hundreds of protesters appeared in front of us treasury, held signs, knocked drums and shouted slogans that protested for the Treasury’s Department’s decision to provide access to sensitive payment systems to DOGE.

People sang “Deport Musk”, “Down With Trump” and “Do Your Job Congress!” More than a dozen democratic lawmakers spoke to the crowd.

“Elon Musk grabs the power of the American people,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). “He is here to seize power for himself, we are here to fight back.”

Maureen Jais-Mick, a resident of Montgomery County, showed up at the event to protest the “obvious trap” of Musk and the Doge Committee. “This is equivalent to a coup,” she said.

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