Additional Coverage:
- Musk rips ‘fraudulent’ Treasury handouts as reports mount DOGE has access to federal payment system (foxnews.com)
Local News Report: Musk’s DOGE Team Alleges Treasury Payment Fraud, Gains Access to Federal System
Tech billionaire and DOGE chair Elon Musk claims the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) uncovered fraudulent activity within the Treasury Department. Musk alleges Treasury payment officers routinely approved payments, even to potentially fraudulent or terrorist groups.
This revelation comes as the second Trump administration continues its efforts to cut government spending. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) confirmed that DOGE has been granted full access to the federal payment system, raising concerns about oversight. This system handles trillions of dollars annually, including Social Security, Medicare, and payments to government contractors.
The access granted to DOGE follows reports of a clash with former acting Treasury director David A. Lebryk, who reportedly opposed giving DOGE access. Further reports indicate DOGE also locked civil servants out of computer systems within the Office of Personnel Management.
Musk, seemingly unfazed by the weekend workload, referred to working while others are off as a “superpower.”
DOGE was created by executive order on President Trump’s first day in office, with a mandate to identify government waste and fraud. The team recently announced over $1 billion in savings through cuts to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Both Trump and Musk have long advocated for government efficiency and spending cuts.
This is a developing story. We have reached out to the White House and Treasury Department for comment but have not yet received a response.