Allied to steer the Department of Government Efficiency-Backed by Elon Musk-doggedly denies DOGE’s invitation to the U.S. Treasury’s payment systems, and such compromised means, according to Treasury officials have granted him “read-only” access. Such arrangements and decisions were on the back of rising voices about the debt of DOGE in federal oversight of finances.
Secretary Scott Bessent connotes that DOGE indeed would be able to access payment codes and transaction records, but it will not be possible for it to change, authorize, or passé any government payments. This will thus ensure the security of these payments that comprise social security and medicare payments.
Nevertheless, some reports now are indicating how weak (read shallow) DOGE’s access may yet be. Though these reports have been refuted, Marko Elez, the purportedly 25-year-old engineer tied to Musk, has allegedly been given high-level administrator rights to possibly change critical settings in the Treasury systems. Most recently, a special government employee in the Treasury Department has been identified as a DOGE liaison. In this way, Tom Krause, the chief executive officer of Cloud Software Group, was also confirmed person with “read-only” access.
Critics say that such appointments can serve as security weaknesses. Lawmakers and watchdog groups have also flagged concerns about conflicts of interest, transparency, and how involving the private sector poses a threat to financial operations in government units. Calls for increased oversight with congressional hearings and independent audits to assess the risks of allowing DOGE into federal systems have intensified.
The legal fight, meanwhile, intensifies. A federal judge pointed toward a temporary injunction blocking DOGE from the Treasury’s records. This could signal that the legal and ethical discussions on this partnership are still far from being resolved. And with the enhanced scrutiny, DOGE will have a very uncertain future in federal financial management.
Critics say that such appointments can serve as security weaknesses. Lawmakers and watchdog groups have also flagged concerns about conflicts of interest, transparency, and how involving the private sector poses a threat to financial operations in government units. Calls for increased oversight with congressional hearings and independent audits to assess the risks of allowing DOGE into federal systems have intensified.
The legal fight, meanwhile, intensifies. A federal judge pointed toward a temporary injunction blocking DOGE from the Treasury’s records. This could signal that the legal and ethical discussions on this partnership are still far from being resolved. And with the enhanced scrutiny, DOGE will have a very uncertain future in federal financial management.
