Betsy Reed
Feb 2, 2025
Trump’s treasury secretary gives the world’s richest person entry to one of the most sensitive US government databases
On February 2, 2025, it was reported that Elon Musk's team, known as the "department of government efficiency" (Doge), has been granted full access to the federal payment system. This access includes sensitive data of millions of Americans, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, as well as payments to government contractors. The decision, authorized by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has raised significant concerns about potential risks to U.S. national security and cybersecurity. Critics are worried that Musk's use of this data could disrupt federal programs and potentially benefit his own business interests, especially considering his extensive ties to China. The move has sparked alarms about politically motivated interference and significant conflicts of interest.