Senator warns of national security risks after Elon Musk’s DOGE granted ‘full access’ to sensitive Treasury systems

A senior U.S. lawmaker has raised concerns about Elon Musk’s team being granted access to a sensitive U.S. Treasury payments system, stating that it poses a national security risk.

Senator Ron Wyden revealed that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave Musk’s team authorization to access the system, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), following a standoff earlier in the week.

Wyden highlighted the potential risks of DOGE having access to crucial government payment systems, including benefits, grants, and payments to contractors.

The New York Times also reported on the authorization granted to DOGE, with one of the representatives being Tom Krause, CEO of Cloud Software Group.

This move by Musk’s team is seen as part of their efforts to influence federal government operations, especially following President Trump’s return to office.

Wyden emphasized the importance of safeguarding the Treasury’s payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in federal funds disbursed to Americans.

The senator expressed concerns about Musk’s business ties in China potentially jeopardizing U.S. cybersecurity and creating conflicts of interest.

DOGE’s scrutiny extends to other federal departments, including the Office of Personnel Management, where Musk’s representatives reportedly locked out career civil servants from computer systems containing sensitive data.

Reuters reported on the implications of granting access to sensitive systems to individuals with significant business interests in China, citing previous cybersecurity incidents linked to the country.