Concerns as Elon Musk Takes Control of US' Treasury Payments Systems, Details Surface
- The US Treasury Department has granted President Donald Trump's ally, Elon Musk, and members of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team access to the federal payment system
- Press reports said that the system manages trillions of dollars in federal government expenditures
- The system holds sensitive financial data on hundreds of millions of Americans and is typically managed by career officials with limited authorised access
Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering global issues.
Washington, USA - Elon Musk, the world's richest person, is leading President Donald Trump's federal cost-cutting efforts under the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE).
As reported on Monday, February 3, by France 24, the decision to grant Musk’s team (the Department of Government Efficiency) access has reportedly created divisions within the Treasury, resulting in the administrative leave of David Lebryk, the career official who had previously overseen the system.
Source: Twitter
Lebryk, who had resisted the move, announced his retirement on Friday, January 31, according to sources in the US.
Criticism as Musk takes control of payments systems
Meanwhile, Senator Ron Wyden, the ranking Democrat on the senate finance committee, warned that political interference in the payment system could severely harm the country’s economy, according to ABC News.
Wyden expressed concerns that Musk’s team might use access to illegally withhold payments to federal programmes following the Trump administration’s recent freeze on federal grants and loans.
Trump defends Elon Musk
Amid the criticism from several quarters, President Trump responded.
Per Anadolu Agency, Trump defended Musk on Monday, February 3, and stressed that Musk "can't do and won't do anything without our approval."
When asked about the much-reported move, Trump replied:
"He’s got access only to letting people go that he thinks are no good, if we agree with him."
Trump added:
"Elon can't do and won't do anything without our approval. And we'll give him the approval where appropriate. Where not appropriate, we won't."
Trump to cut off funding to South Africa
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Trump said he would cut off future funding to South Africa for “confiscating” land and “treating certain classes of people very badly” pending an investigation.
Amid Trump's threat, some groups fear a situation similar to the Zimbabwe government’s seizure of white-owned commercial farms, often without compensation, after independence in 1980.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
