Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) raised concerns that Americans’ tax records may have been “potentially compromised” due to actions by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
During an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday, Murphy warned about Musk’s growing influence over the federal government, particularly in relation to its financial systems. Reports emerged that over the weekend, individuals associated with Musk and DOGE were granted access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system, sparking outrage among Democrats.
Tapper questioned Murphy about whether he was concerned that DOGE had gained access to the Treasury system used to disburse government funds. Murphy responded that he was deeply troubled by the situation. He emphasized that every American should be aware that their personal tax records may have been exposed and that unelected billionaires and their Silicon Valley allies could now have access to sensitive financial information.
The Treasury Department’s financial systems manage $6 trillion annually, overseeing the distribution of funds for Social Security, Medicare, federal employee salaries, payments to government contractors, grants, and tax refunds.
David Lebryk, a senior career official at the Treasury Department, recently stepped down following disagreements with Musk’s associates over access to these financial systems. His departure has further heightened concerns about the potential risks associated with DOGE’s involvement in managing critical government operations.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.