Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden Demand Probe into Elon Musk’s Access to Federal Payment System

Democrats raise alarm over Musk’s alleged influence in government operations, calling for an immediate investigation.

Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are demanding a congressional investigation into the Treasury Department’s decision to grant Elon Musk’s team access to the U.S. federal payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in Social Security benefits, Medicare payments, tax refunds, and government contracts.

A Direct Challenge to Musk’s Growing Influence

In a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Warren and Wyden called for a full inquiry into how Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent—who was confirmed under the Trump administration—authorized Musk’s government efficiency group, DOGE, to review federal disbursement processes.

“GAO must investigate and determine who was granted access to these systems, why and how this access was granted, and the implications for the nation’s economic and national security,” the senators wrote in their letter, which was shared with POLITICO.

Their concerns come as Democrats escalate their fight against what they describe as Musk’s unprecedented political interference in key government operations.

Did Musk’s Team Gain Control Over Federal Payments?

The controversy intensified after reports suggested that Musk’s team may have had direct insight into or influence over the disbursement of federal funds.

While Treasury Secretary Bessent assured Republican lawmakers in a closed-door meeting Monday night that Musk’s team does not control the system, many Democrats remain unconvinced.

Federal employee unions have already sued to block DOGE’s access, arguing that it poses serious risks to the privacy and security of Americans’ financial data.

Major Questions Surrounding Musk’s Access

Warren and Wyden are demanding that the GAO investigate the following key issues:

Who in Musk’s team had access to the Treasury’s payment system?
Did these individuals hold proper security clearances?
Were there safeguards to prevent political interference in federal payments?
Could Musk’s team shut off or delay disbursements for political or financial gain?

Conflict of Interest with X’s Financial Ambitions?

The senators also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as Musk’s X platform (formerly Twitter) recently announced a partnership with Visa to provide financial services.

“There must be transparency about whether Musk’s access to federal payment systems gives him an unfair advantage as he builds his own financial empire,” Warren and Wyden wrote.

Treasury Department Silent on Investigation

The Treasury Department has yet to comment on the growing controversy, but the pressure is mounting.

As the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Wyden is expected to push for hearings on the matter. Meanwhile, Warren, a fierce critic of Musk, vows to fight against any further expansion of his influence in government operations.

With federal employee unions taking legal action and Democrats calling for full transparency, this battle over Musk’s access to government systems is far from over.