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

Sen. Wyden warns of risks as Musk's group DOGE gains access to U.S. Treasury systems.

: Sen. Ron Wyden has raised concerns over the national security risks posed by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accessing sensitive U.S. Treasury systems. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent authorized full access, sparking controversy over potential conflicts due to Musk's business ties to China. Wyden fears access could harm U.S. cybersecurity and is unprecedented for someone with Musk's foreign business interests. The Treasury system oversees the disbursement of $6 trillion in federal funds, including Social Security and Medicare.

Sen. Ron Wyden has expressed serious national security concerns after it was revealed that Elon Musk's team, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was granted full access to a sensitive U.S. Treasury payment system. This system is responsible for disbursing approximately $6 trillion annually, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, and has historically been restricted to a limited number of personnel due to its sensitive nature.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent provided this authorization amidst an administrative standoff that resulted in the departure of a high-ranking Treasury official. The move has also raised alarms due to Musk's expansive business dealings with China, highlighting potential cybersecurity risks and conflicts of interest.

Wyden, in his communication to Bessent, emphasized that such politically motivated decisions could gravely affect the U.S. economy and national security. The concerns intensify with events like the 2015 OPM hack, attributed to China, which compromised sensitive data of 22 million federal employees, reemphasizing the need for vigilance in granting access to critical systems.