A New York Times report that revealed billionaire Elon Musk now has access to the federal payment system has prompted a response from Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. This system is a critical tool used by the federal government to disburse funds across various departments and initiatives.
David Lebryk, a senior Treasury official who first objected to giving DOGE access to the payment system, is alleged to have been removed by Musk, who is now in charge of the recently formed “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). Lebryk, a career civil servant, was placed on leave and later retired abruptly on Friday following the controversy.
The possibility that DOGE, an agency charged with locating and getting rid of government waste, may abuse the payment system has been brought up by this development.
Critics fear that Musk and his department could use their newfound power to restrict or influence the distribution of funds that have been explicitly allocated by Congress for specific purposes.
