News Summary

Elon Musk’s team, known as the ‘department of government efficiency’ or DOGE, has been granted full access to the US Treasury’s federal payment system. This system manages over $6 trillion of federal cash flow annually, including social security, Medicare benefits, and federal salaries. The access was authorized by the new Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, despite opposition from influential figures like Senator Ron Wyden, who expressed concerns over national security risks and potential conflicts of interest, particularly due to Musk’s extensive business ties with China. Critics fear that Musk’s access could lead to politically-motivated disruptions of federal programs.