Really Good Questions !

[KidneyStoned]

Wyden Demands Answers Following Report of Musk Personnel Seeking Access to Highly Sensitive U.S. Treasury Payments System​

In New Letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent, Wyden Warns That Political Meddling in Treasury Payments Risks Severe Economic Damage, Calls Out Dangerous Conflicts of Interest Stemming from Elon Musk’s Close Business Ties to the Chinese Government​

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today following a report that personnel affiliated with Elon Musk have sought access to a highly sensitive Treasury Department payment system. That system, which is maintained by non-political staff, disperses trillions of dollars each year, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax credits for individuals and businesses, grants and payments to government contractors, including those that compete directly with Musk-owned companies.

Senator Wyden wrote in a new letter: “To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically-motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy. I am deeply concerned that following the federal grant and loan freeze earlier this week, these officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs. I can think of no good reason why political operators who have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law would need access to these sensitive, mission-critical systems … The federal government is in a financially precarious position, currently utilizing accounting maneuvers to continue paying its bills since it reached the debt limit at the beginning of the year. I am concerned that mismanagement of these payment systems could threaten the full faith and credit of the United States.”

His letter continued: “The press has previously reported that Musk was denied a high-level clearance to access the government’s most sensitive secrets. I am concerned that Musk’s enormous business operation in China -- a country whose intelligence agencies have stolen vast amounts of sensitive data about Americans, including U.S. government employee data by hacking U.S. government systems -- endangers U.S. cybersecurity and creates conflicts of interest that make his access to these systems a national security risk.”

The full text of the letter is available here. The questions posed in the letter follow below.

1. Have officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE requested access to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems? If so, please provide the identities of those individuals.
2. Has the Treasury Department granted Bureau of Fiscal Service payment systems access to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please provide the following information:
   1. The legal authority under which the Treasury Department granted access to any of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE
   2. A detailed description of why the Treasury Department gave officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and the intended changes to the system that merits such access
   3. A list of all officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE who have been granted access to the Fiscal Services Payment Systems.
   4. Copies of all communications between officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and Treasury staff related to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
3. Has the Treasury Department given access to payment system databases related to the disbursement of Social Security and Medicare benefits? If so, why?
4. Has the Treasury Department conducted any screenings, background checks, screening of security clearances or other vetting of officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please describe these efforts and whether they took place prior to granting officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
5. Has the Treasury Department done any vetting of potential conflicts of interest posed by Elon Musk’s significant business operations in China prior to granting him access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems or any other Treasury databases?
6. Please describe what information security measures and other operational security steps will be taken to ensure that providing officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE such access does not result in hackers and foreign spies breaching or otherwise gaining access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.

 

[atlanta cock#]

Wyden Demands Answers Following Report of Musk Personnel Seeking Access to Highly Sensitive U.S. Treasury Payments System​

In New Letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent, Wyden Warns That Political Meddling in Treasury Payments Risks Severe Economic Damage, Calls Out Dangerous Conflicts of Interest Stemming from Elon Musk’s Close Business Ties to the Chinese Government​

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today following a report that personnel affiliated with Elon Musk have sought access to a highly sensitive Treasury Department payment system. That system, which is maintained by non-political staff, disperses trillions of dollars each year, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax credits for individuals and businesses, grants and payments to government contractors, including those that compete directly with Musk-owned companies.

Senator Wyden wrote in a new letter: “To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically-motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy. I am deeply concerned that following the federal grant and loan freeze earlier this week, these officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs. I can think of no good reason why political operators who have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law would need access to these sensitive, mission-critical systems … The federal government is in a financially precarious position, currently utilizing accounting maneuvers to continue paying its bills since it reached the debt limit at the beginning of the year. I am concerned that mismanagement of these payment systems could threaten the full faith and credit of the United States.”

His letter continued: “The press has previously reported that Musk was denied a high-level clearance to access the government’s most sensitive secrets. I am concerned that Musk’s enormous business operation in China -- a country whose intelligence agencies have stolen vast amounts of sensitive data about Americans, including U.S. government employee data by hacking U.S. government systems -- endangers U.S. cybersecurity and creates conflicts of interest that make his access to these systems a national security risk.”

The full text of the letter is available here. The questions posed in the letter follow below.

1. Have officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE requested access to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems? If so, please provide the identities of those individuals.
2. Has the Treasury Department granted Bureau of Fiscal Service payment systems access to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please provide the following information:
   1. The legal authority under which the Treasury Department granted access to any of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE
   2. A detailed description of why the Treasury Department gave officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and the intended changes to the system that merits such access
   3. A list of all officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE who have been granted access to the Fiscal Services Payment Systems.
   4. Copies of all communications between officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and Treasury staff related to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
3. Has the Treasury Department given access to payment system databases related to the disbursement of Social Security and Medicare benefits? If so, why?
4. Has the Treasury Department conducted any screenings, background checks, screening of security clearances or other vetting of officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please describe these efforts and whether they took place prior to granting officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
5. Has the Treasury Department done any vetting of potential conflicts of interest posed by Elon Musk’s significant business operations in China prior to granting him access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems or any other Treasury databases?
6. Please describe what information security measures and other operational security steps will be taken to ensure that providing officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE such access does not result in hackers and foreign spies breaching or otherwise gaining access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.

I trust Elon far more than literally anyone with a D by their name.

 

[55dawg]

Wyden Demands Answers Following Report of Musk Personnel Seeking Access to Highly Sensitive U.S. Treasury Payments System​

In New Letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent, Wyden Warns That Political Meddling in Treasury Payments Risks Severe Economic Damage, Calls Out Dangerous Conflicts of Interest Stemming from Elon Musk’s Close Business Ties to the Chinese Government​

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today following a report that personnel affiliated with Elon Musk have sought access to a highly sensitive Treasury Department payment system. That system, which is maintained by non-political staff, disperses trillions of dollars each year, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax credits for individuals and businesses, grants and payments to government contractors, including those that compete directly with Musk-owned companies.

Senator Wyden wrote in a new letter: “To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically-motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy. I am deeply concerned that following the federal grant and loan freeze earlier this week, these officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs. I can think of no good reason why political operators who have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law would need access to these sensitive, mission-critical systems … The federal government is in a financially precarious position, currently utilizing accounting maneuvers to continue paying its bills since it reached the debt limit at the beginning of the year. I am concerned that mismanagement of these payment systems could threaten the full faith and credit of the United States.”

His letter continued: “The press has previously reported that Musk was denied a high-level clearance to access the government’s most sensitive secrets. I am concerned that Musk’s enormous business operation in China -- a country whose intelligence agencies have stolen vast amounts of sensitive data about Americans, including U.S. government employee data by hacking U.S. government systems -- endangers U.S. cybersecurity and creates conflicts of interest that make his access to these systems a national security risk.”

The full text of the letter is available here. The questions posed in the letter follow below.

1. Have officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE requested access to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems? If so, please provide the identities of those individuals.
2. Has the Treasury Department granted Bureau of Fiscal Service payment systems access to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please provide the following information:
   1. The legal authority under which the Treasury Department granted access to any of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE
   2. A detailed description of why the Treasury Department gave officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and the intended changes to the system that merits such access
   3. A list of all officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE who have been granted access to the Fiscal Services Payment Systems.
   4. Copies of all communications between officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and Treasury staff related to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
3. Has the Treasury Department given access to payment system databases related to the disbursement of Social Security and Medicare benefits? If so, why?
4. Has the Treasury Department conducted any screenings, background checks, screening of security clearances or other vetting of officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please describe these efforts and whether they took place prior to granting officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
5. Has the Treasury Department done any vetting of potential conflicts of interest posed by Elon Musk’s significant business operations in China prior to granting him access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems or any other Treasury databases?
6. Please describe what information security measures and other operational security steps will be taken to ensure that providing officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE such access does not result in hackers and foreign spies breaching or otherwise gaining access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.

Agreed. Full transparency is a good thing. Also wish someone would further explain the “accounting maneuvers” he mentions we utilize to keep us afloat. That’s the most alarming point to me.

 

[KidneyStoned]

Agreed. Full transparency is a good thing. Also wish someone would further explain the “accounting maneuvers” he mentions we utilize to keep us afloat. That’s the most alarming point to me.

Yea, that sounds bad. Sad state of affairs.

 

[Georgia Jim]

Wyden Demands Answers Following Report of Musk Personnel Seeking Access to Highly Sensitive U.S. Treasury Payments System​

In New Letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent, Wyden Warns That Political Meddling in Treasury Payments Risks Severe Economic Damage, Calls Out Dangerous Conflicts of Interest Stemming from Elon Musk’s Close Business Ties to the Chinese Government​

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today following a report that personnel affiliated with Elon Musk have sought access to a highly sensitive Treasury Department payment system. That system, which is maintained by non-political staff, disperses trillions of dollars each year, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax credits for individuals and businesses, grants and payments to government contractors, including those that compete directly with Musk-owned companies.

Senator Wyden wrote in a new letter: “To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically-motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy. I am deeply concerned that following the federal grant and loan freeze earlier this week, these officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs. I can think of no good reason why political operators who have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law would need access to these sensitive, mission-critical systems … The federal government is in a financially precarious position, currently utilizing accounting maneuvers to continue paying its bills since it reached the debt limit at the beginning of the year. I am concerned that mismanagement of these payment systems could threaten the full faith and credit of the United States.”

His letter continued: “The press has previously reported that Musk was denied a high-level clearance to access the government’s most sensitive secrets. I am concerned that Musk’s enormous business operation in China -- a country whose intelligence agencies have stolen vast amounts of sensitive data about Americans, including U.S. government employee data by hacking U.S. government systems -- endangers U.S. cybersecurity and creates conflicts of interest that make his access to these systems a national security risk.”

The full text of the letter is available here. The questions posed in the letter follow below.

1. Have officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE requested access to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems? If so, please provide the identities of those individuals.
2. Has the Treasury Department granted Bureau of Fiscal Service payment systems access to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please provide the following information:
   1. The legal authority under which the Treasury Department granted access to any of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE
   2. A detailed description of why the Treasury Department gave officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and the intended changes to the system that merits such access
   3. A list of all officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE who have been granted access to the Fiscal Services Payment Systems.
   4. Copies of all communications between officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and Treasury staff related to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
3. Has the Treasury Department given access to payment system databases related to the disbursement of Social Security and Medicare benefits? If so, why?
4. Has the Treasury Department conducted any screenings, background checks, screening of security clearances or other vetting of officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please describe these efforts and whether they took place prior to granting officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
5. Has the Treasury Department done any vetting of potential conflicts of interest posed by Elon Musk’s significant business operations in China prior to granting him access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems or any other Treasury databases?
6. Please describe what information security measures and other operational security steps will be taken to ensure that providing officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE such access does not result in hackers and foreign spies breaching or otherwise gaining access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.

"Full Faith and Credit of the United States" I'm old enough to remember when that meant something...

 

[KidneyStoned]

"Full Faith and Credit of the United States" I'm old enough to remember when that meant something...

Yep - the country, in sum, is bankrupt.

 

[ThreeDawgNight]

Yep - the country, in sum, is bankrupt.

Sorry ass bureaucrats and corrupt politicians got us here yet you seem so content with our doing business as usual.

Trump is rattling cages and scaring the hell out of these bureaucrats who want to keep the American public as their flocks of sheep.

Coming from a buddy of mine in DC, there are some very selfishly scared folks up there....because they're knee deep in the corruption.

My wife's sister runs one of the most established jewelry stores in DC which is right near the pentagon. She said their sales for this last year and most specifically December blew away all records. Hmmmmm....... outgoing Dems knowing the money train was coming to an end???

 

[KidneyStoned]

Sorry ass bureaucrats and corrupt politicians got us here yet you seem so content with our doing business as usual.

Trump is rattling cages and scaring the hell out of these bureaucrats who want to keep the American public as their flocks of sheep.

Coming from a buddy of mine in DC, there are some very selfishly scared folks up there....because they're knee deep in the corruption.

My wife's sister runs one of the most established jewelry stores in DC which is right near the pentagon. She said their sales for this last year and most specifically December blew away all records. Hmmmmm....... outgoing Dems knowing the money train was coming to an end???

I support the G being taken apart and put back together. The idea of handing responsibility for that to an unelected person with no security clearance, no statutory authority, and a laundry list of conflicts of interest concerns me. If you can’t understand that concern, you are a sheep.

 

[Southern_brand]

I support the G being taken apart and put back together. The idea of handing responsibility for that to an unelected person with no security clearance, no statutory authority, and a laundry list of conflicts of interest concerns me. If you can’t understand that concern, you are a sheep.

I can understand that. But what’s the answer then? Because everyone that has been elected and has security clearance have been the issue. Anyone elected and that has to go through the security clearance protocols will likely be corrupt.

 

[ToddBburn]

I can understand that. But what’s the answer then? Because everyone that has been elected and has security clearance have been the issue. Anyone elected and that has to go through the security clearance protocols will likely be corrupt.

As long as there is accountability, transparency and oversight there should not really be any issues. It is needed for sure to rid the government of so much waste.
I would recommend DOGE unearth the problems and waste in a transparent manner that both parties can see and a separate group address the issues.

 

[WyoDawg307]

Based on Wyden's letter, it appears Musk/DOGE has stepped hard onto somebodies manhood and they are lashing out. They know that with over 1 billion transactions a year and with over $6T in spending, that means a whole lot of our money is going out with zero oversight and they fear what will be revealed. Most likely NGO funding and other ways money was laundered to Ukraine.

An effective government means transparency. Just look at the situation in Arizona where the governor cannot account for $500m and a $1.8B budget and the budget director resigned. Imagine how much worse it is with a $6T spend.

 

[KidneyStoned]

As long as there is accountability, transparency and oversight there should not really be any issues. It is needed for sure to rid the government of so much waste.
I would recommend DOGE unearth the problems and waste in a transparent manner that both parties can see and a separate group address the issues.

But at least so far, there is no accountability, no transparency, and no oversight. That’s scary shit.

 

[KidneyStoned]

I can understand that. But what’s the answer then? Because everyone that has been elected and has security clearance have been the issue. Anyone elected and that has to go through the security clearance protocols will likely be corrupt.

I get what you are saying, but I can’t accept that what we are witnessing is the best way.

 

[jdwalker]

But at least so far, there is no accountability, no transparency, and no oversight. That’s scary shit.

Right? Hopefully now that Trump is in office, that will change

 

[55dawg]

But at least so far, there is no accountability, no transparency, and no oversight. That’s scary shit.

Do we truly know if there has ever been accountability, transparency, and true oversight ? And I’m not suggesting that Elon or anyone should be able to operate that way.

 

[WyoDawg307]

Do we truly know if there has ever been accountability, transparency, and true oversight ? And I’m not suggesting that Elon or anyone should be able to operate that way.

I think we would all agree that their is a 99% chance nobody has ever even audited this payment system. Like all monolithic government creations, it just exists, without any accountability.

 

[Dirty Hairy Dawg]

But at least so far, there is no accountability, no transparency, and no oversight. That’s scary shit.

Trump or Musk can't take a dump without the press sniffing around and trying to create a scandal out of the smell. It's not that I trust Trump or Musk, it's that I know they aren't going to enjoy a press that is in the tank for them. It was the smart guys with the security clearances that created this mess. If I'm going to believe anyone in this scenario, I'm going to believe the guy that will be called out by the press for any misstep he makes.

 

[KidneyStoned]

Right? Hopefully now that Trump is in office, that will change

I assume that was an attempt at sarcasm.

 

[KidneyStoned]

Trump or Musk can't take a dump without the press sniffing around and trying to create a scandal out of the smell. It's not that I trust Trump or Musk, it's that I know they aren't going to enjoy a press that is in the tank for them. It was the smart guys with the security clearances that created this mess. If I'm going to believe anyone in this scenario, I'm going to believe the guy that will be called out by the press for any misstep he makes.

So accountability to the Press is all you require for the wealthiest man in the world to have complete control over our government?

You aren’t bothered by Musk failing his federal government security clearance? He’s South African. Did you like his Sig Heil? He takes Ketamine and smokes dope. Over 30% of his wealth is concentrated in China and Russia. He’s now on charge of our Country, having bought his way to that spot by giving the Idiot in Chief hundreds of millions of dollars.

 

[ugaboz]

So accountability to the Press is all you require for the wealthiest man in the world to have complete control over our government?

You aren’t bothered by Musk failing his federal government security clearance? He’s South American. Did you like his Sig Heil? He takes Ketamine and smokes dope. Over 30% of his wealth is concentrated in China and Russia. He’s now on charge of our Country, having bought his way to that spot by giving the Idiot in Chief hundreds of millions of dollars.

Kamalo would be a better option

 

[ToddBburn]

But at least so far, there is no accountability, no transparency, and no oversight. That’s scary shit.

How long has it been? Are you serious do you expect to be invited into the meetings. Relax and give a moment. It would be irresponsible to release information abruptly without vetting it. That is what the media and social media does and why we have both sides pointing fingers at each other. I appreciate you ability to try to see both sides but you are overreacting.

 

[KidneyStoned]

How long has it been? Are you serious do you expect to be invited into the meetings. Relax and give a moment. It would be irresponsible to release information abruptly without vetting it. That is what the media and social media does and why we have both sides pointing fingers at each other. I appreciate you ability to try to see both sides but you are overreacting.

Historically, the person / group who runs our government has been elected, and vetted for security before they got to run for office.

 

[atlanta cock#]

Historically, the person / group who runs our government has been elected, and vetted for security before they got to run for office.

That ended when blue cities began to give noncitizens the right to vote.

 

[Dirty Hairy Dawg]

So accountability to the Press is all you require for the wealthiest man in the world to have complete control over our government?

You aren’t bothered by Musk failing his federal government security clearance? He’s South African. Did you like his Sig Heil? He takes Ketamine and smokes dope. Over 30% of his wealth is concentrated in China and Russia. He’s now on charge of our Country, having bought his way to that spot by giving the Idiot in Chief hundreds of millions of dollars.

Oh good grief. First, yes the press is supposed to play a role in holding our leaders accountable and until they started choosing sides, they did a decent job of informing the American people so the people could facilitate change at the ballot box. The press played a huge role in advancing the civil rights movement, rightly or wrongly the anti war movement in Vietnam and the impeachment of Richard Nixon. So yes, a fair non partisan press corp would keep Musk in check to the degree the voters wanted him kept in check. And the press will climb up his arse with a microscope at any indication of wrongdoing.

Next, from everything I've seen the complaint about Musk is that he's to front and center and not that he's operating in the shadows. Typically, he says he's found waste, fraud, abuse or simply absurd spending, he publishes his findings and the only rebuttal seems to be South African man bad as orange man. To this point, I don't think I've seen any government official come out and say Musk's assertions are way off base by using data to refute the data Musk shares.

Finally, Musk isn't in charge of shat and if you're using Sig Heil as a criticism, you've jumped the shark. (Did you know Barack Obama was a dope head, was raised by commies and had his college records sealed) As far as the qualifications for the job Musk has, I don't care if he stays stoned, was born in Russia and has a picture of Xi on his nightstand as long as his actions are transparent. If he's shining a light on government spending and shows our treasure is being raided more so the managed and makes the pols uncomfortable, I'm okay with him.

 

[TivoliDawg]

I get what you are saying, but I can’t accept that what we are witnessing is the best way.

It’s not the best way, but I don’t think any other policitican was going to endeavor this. And our national debt is out of control.

That is a much more pressing issue than climate change, for example. And no one is doing anything about it. Neither R nor D.

Ds are worse, but neither are interested in fixing it.

I’d be really proud if Musk could help us put $0.5T towards the debt annually. That would make our country strong.

My fear is that any savings will just fund billionaire tax cuts and we’ll continue the same path with our debt

 

[TivoliDawg]

It’s not the best way, but I don’t think any other policitican was going to endeavor this. And our national debt is out of control.

That is a much more pressing issue than climate change, for example. And no one is doing anything about it. Neither R nor D.

Ds are worse, but neither are interested in fixing it.

I’d be really proud if Musk could help us put $0.5T towards the debt annually. That would make our country strong.

My fear is that any savings will just fund billionaire tax cuts and we’ll continue the same path with our debt

Also, if Rs don’t pas legislation that puts term limits on congress, they’re cowards. We need to eliminate career politicians.

 

[Southern_brand]

I get what you are saying, but I can’t accept that what we are witnessing is the best way.

But it just started…..is it not a good idea to give it some time before declaring it as “not the best way”? I mean, DOGE is already digging up fraudulent and wasteful spending and Trump hasn’t even been in office for a month yet. I get Elon may not be the most likeable guy, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be effective.

 

[blackpug6]

Wyden Demands Answers Following Report of Musk Personnel Seeking Access to Highly Sensitive U.S. Treasury Payments System​

In New Letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent, Wyden Warns That Political Meddling in Treasury Payments Risks Severe Economic Damage, Calls Out Dangerous Conflicts of Interest Stemming from Elon Musk’s Close Business Ties to the Chinese Government​

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today following a report that personnel affiliated with Elon Musk have sought access to a highly sensitive Treasury Department payment system. That system, which is maintained by non-political staff, disperses trillions of dollars each year, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax credits for individuals and businesses, grants and payments to government contractors, including those that compete directly with Musk-owned companies.

Senator Wyden wrote in a new letter: “To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically-motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy. I am deeply concerned that following the federal grant and loan freeze earlier this week, these officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs. I can think of no good reason why political operators who have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law would need access to these sensitive, mission-critical systems … The federal government is in a financially precarious position, currently utilizing accounting maneuvers to continue paying its bills since it reached the debt limit at the beginning of the year. I am concerned that mismanagement of these payment systems could threaten the full faith and credit of the United States.”

His letter continued: “The press has previously reported that Musk was denied a high-level clearance to access the government’s most sensitive secrets. I am concerned that Musk’s enormous business operation in China -- a country whose intelligence agencies have stolen vast amounts of sensitive data about Americans, including U.S. government employee data by hacking U.S. government systems -- endangers U.S. cybersecurity and creates conflicts of interest that make his access to these systems a national security risk.”

The full text of the letter is available here. The questions posed in the letter follow below.

1. Have officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE requested access to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems? If so, please provide the identities of those individuals.
2. Has the Treasury Department granted Bureau of Fiscal Service payment systems access to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please provide the following information:
   1. The legal authority under which the Treasury Department granted access to any of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems to officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE
   2. A detailed description of why the Treasury Department gave officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and the intended changes to the system that merits such access
   3. A list of all officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE who have been granted access to the Fiscal Services Payment Systems.
   4. Copies of all communications between officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE and Treasury staff related to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
3. Has the Treasury Department given access to payment system databases related to the disbursement of Social Security and Medicare benefits? If so, why?
4. Has the Treasury Department conducted any screenings, background checks, screening of security clearances or other vetting of officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE? If so, please describe these efforts and whether they took place prior to granting officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.
5. Has the Treasury Department done any vetting of potential conflicts of interest posed by Elon Musk’s significant business operations in China prior to granting him access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems or any other Treasury databases?
6. Please describe what information security measures and other operational security steps will be taken to ensure that providing officials associated with Elon Musk or DOGE such access does not result in hackers and foreign spies breaching or otherwise gaining access to the Fiscal Service’s payment systems.

 

[blackpug6]

friend,
I ain't reading all that shit.
instigators gonna instigate, eh?



Pug!

 

[Georgia Knight]

Historically, the person / group who runs our government has been elected, and vetted for security before they got to run for office.

The problem is that this isn't really true, and hasn't been for over 100 years.

The government has long been designed to isolate itself from meaningful democratic accountability.

Hell, it's a similar dynamic Jackson faced when he became president roughly 40 years after FedGov started.

 

[cherrydawg]

It’s not the best way, but I don’t think any other policitican was going to endeavor this. And our national debt is out of control.

That is a much more pressing issue than climate change, for example. And no one is doing anything about it. Neither R nor D.

Ds are worse, but neither are interested in fixing it.

I’d be really proud if Musk could help us put $0.5T towards the debt annually. That would make our country strong.

My fear is that any savings will just fund billionaire tax cuts and we’ll continue the same path with our debt

You did good till the last line then your inward liberal leaked out.

 

[d-dawg]

 

[TivoliDawg]

You did good till the last line then your inward liberal leaked out.

It is not liber to want to pay down the national debt. It is literally the definition of conservative.

 

[cherrydawg]

It is not liber to want to pay down the national debt. It is literally the definition of conservative.

So you saying you're afraid it will go to tax cuts for billionaires which is wat dims/libs always say when there is a tax cut is saying you are conservative. LOL ok You sure use lots of lib talking points. I think you are a newly minted "conservative". You still let some of your old self leak out.