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The Trump administration has agreed to temporarily restrict nearly all employees of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from directly accessing Treasury Department systems responsible for processing nearly all U.S. government payments.
This decision follows increasing scrutiny over DOGE’s influence within the federal government and concerns over its access to highly sensitive financial data.
DOGE, an advisory body tasked with cutting federal spending and eliminating inefficiencies, had previously been granted access to critical systems within the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which manages trillions of dollars in federal payments, including Social Security benefits and tax refunds.
The move to limit DOGE’s access was formalized in a Justice Department filing on Wednesday night, requiring approval from U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.
According to the filing, "The Defendants will not provide access to any payment record or payment system of records maintained by or within the Bureau of the Fiscal Service."
However, two DOGE-affiliated individuals, Marko Elez and Tom Krause, have been granted exceptions. They will retain read-only access to certain Treasury records as deemed necessary for their duties.
Marko Elez, a 25-year-old engineer with a background at Musk’s companies, and Tom Krause, the CEO of a cloud software group, have been placed in key positions at DOGE.
Despite their limited experience in government operations, their access to financial systems has raised alarms among lawmakers and federal employee unions.
The decision to restrict DOGE’s access comes amid ongoing litigation against the Treasury Department. Three federal employee unions have sued to block DOGE’s involvement in sensitive financial operations, citing “massive and unprecedented” data sharing that could compromise government integrity.
The lawsuit argues that DOGE’s presence within the Treasury Department enables undue influence over federal payments and potential disruptions to funding for critical agencies.
Adding to the controversy, reports have surfaced that Elez was granted administrative privileges on two Treasury payment systems: the Payment Automation Manager and the Secure Payment System. These platforms process trillions of dollars annually and are responsible for ensuring the smooth distribution of government payments.
According to sources, Elez not only had access to the system but was also capable of writing code, raising concerns about DOGE’s ability to alter or obstruct federal financial transactions.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that DOGE personnel had the authority to modify government financial software. “DOGE is not allowed to write new code,” Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday.
However, internal Treasury Department sources have contradicted these claims, with some alleging that Elez was seen visiting a Kansas City office that houses critical Treasury payment infrastructure.
The involvement of young and relatively inexperienced individuals in such high-stakes government financial operations has raised additional concerns.
Reports suggest that Musk has strategically placed surrogates between the ages of 19 and 24 in key government positions through DOGE, raising questions about their qualifications and the extent of their influence over federal decision-making.
The issue has been further exacerbated by the actions of incoming Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who, according to the Washington Post, quietly approved access to federal payment systems for DOGE personnel. The lawsuit against the Treasury Department specifically criticizes Bessent’s decision, arguing that it was made without proper oversight.
“[Bessent] decided behind closed doors to allow individuals not involved in the processing of the government’s financial transactions to root around in the Bureau’s records. Giving access to those records is unlawful,” the complaint states.
Critics of DOGE’s involvement in government finances argue that the advisory body has been given excessive power without proper oversight. Some lawmakers worry that DOGE’s presence at the Treasury Department could be used to manipulate federal payments, delaying or obstructing funding to certain agencies or programs.
Others have expressed concerns about the security implications of allowing an external body, led by a private tech billionaire, to have access to the nation’s financial infrastructure.
Musk has not publicly commented on the restriction of DOGE’s access to Treasury systems. However, his past statements suggest that he views government bureaucracy as inefficient and believes in aggressive cost-cutting measures.
While some Republican lawmakers have defended DOGE’s role in identifying wasteful spending, critics argue that its approach lacks transparency and could undermine essential government functions.
The lawsuit against the Treasury Department is expected to move forward in the coming weeks, with federal unions pushing for even stricter limitations on DOGE’s access. Meanwhile, congressional Democrats have called for a formal investigation into DOGE’s role and Musk’s influence over government decision-making.
Some lawmakers have suggested that additional safeguards be implemented to prevent private entities from gaining undue control over federal financial operations.
As the controversy surrounding DOGE continues to unfold, the broader implications of Musk’s involvement in government functions remain a point of contention.
While the Trump administration’s decision to restrict DOGE’s access is a significant development, questions remain about the extent of the department’s influence and the potential risks posed by its continued presence within the federal government.
For now, DOGE’s ability to directly interact with Treasury Department systems has been significantly curtailed, but the debate over the advisory body’s future role in government operations is far from over.
With legal challenges mounting and congressional scrutiny increasing, the battle over DOGE’s access to federal financial systems is likely to shape ongoing discussions about transparency, oversight, and the limits of private sector influence in public administration.
