In a significant development that signals a major shift in federal financial oversight, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team has been granted access to the U.S. federal payment system, according to a New York Times report. This move comes amid substantial changes in the Trump administration’s approach to government spending control.
Key changes in treasury operations
The transition hasn’t been smooth sailing. David Lebryk, a senior career Treasury Department official, has reportedly resigned following disagreements with Musk’s allies over payment system access. However, safeguards remain in place – the new Treasury employees have undergone required background checks and obtained necessary security clearances.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that while access has been granted, the team’s operational capabilities are still limited, with no payment blocks implemented thus far.
In a striking statement on his social media platform X, Musk alleged serious deficiencies in the existing system. “They literally never denied a payment in their entire career. Not even once,” he posted, claiming that Treasury payment approval officers were “instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups.”
Ambitious cost-cutting goals
The Trump-Musk partnership aims to achieve substantial federal spending reductions, with claims of potential savings reaching $2 trillion. Initially, the DOGE leadership was meant to include entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who has since shifted focus to pursue the Ohio governorship.
Broader administrative changes
The changes extend beyond the Treasury Department. According to a Reuters report, Musk’s influence has reached the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), where career civil servants have reportedly been locked out of crucial computer systems. These systems contain sensitive information about millions of federal employees, including the Enterprise Human Resources Integration database.
The lockout has raised serious concerns among agency officials. “We have no visibility into what they are doing with the computer and data systems,” one official stated. “That is creating great concern. There is no oversight. It creates real cybersecurity and hacking implications.”
This reorganization aligns with broader administrative changes under Trump’s new term, which has already seen hundreds of civil servants removed or reassigned since his January 20 inauguration.
The situation continues to develop as the administration implements its ambitious government restructuring plans, balancing efficiency goals with security and oversight concerns.
