The Treasury Department's Office of Inspector General is set to launch an extensive audit scrutinizing the security controls of the federal government's payment system. This decisive action, initiated before Democratic lawmakers requested it, aims to delve into the intricacies surrounding Elon Musk's DOGE team's access and alleged fraudulent activities within these sensitive systems. The audit will cover the past two years of transactions and examine the inconsistencies reported by the Treasury Department about DOGE's interactions with the payment system.
Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Jack Reed have actively participated in advocating for this audit. They addressed a formal letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, highlighting the discrepancies in the Treasury Department's accounts concerning DOGE's access. The senators expressed concern over potential unauthorized access to sensitive systems, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
“Your lack of candor about these events is deeply troubling given the threats to the economy and the public from DOGE’s meddling, and you need to provide a clear, complete, and public accounting of who accessed the systems, what they were doing, and why they were doing it,” – Democratic lawmakers (Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ron Wyden, and Sen. Jack Reed)
The audit will be conducted by Loren J. Sciurba, the Treasury's deputy inspector general. A.J. Altemus, acting counsel to the inspector general, assured that this audit would remain non-partisan and objective.
“Our work is independently initiated,” – A.J. Altemus, acting counsel to the inspector general
“Must be non-partisan and objective. These standards remain unchanged.” – A.J. Altemus, acting counsel to the inspector general
The investigation will commence immediately but is anticipated to extend until August. It represents a broader initiative spearheaded by Democratic lawmakers and federal employee unions striving to shed light on DOGE's activities within federal payment systems. Concerns have mounted regarding potential unauthorized access and its implications for sensitive Treasury operations.
Notably, five former treasury secretaries have raised alarms about the risks associated with Musk's DOGE accessing these critical systems. Advocacy groups and labor unions have also taken legal action, filing lawsuits over potential unauthorized entry to sensitive Treasury payment systems.
Adding complexity to the situation, the Treasury Department declined a briefing with top-ranking Senate Finance Committee lawmakers, including Senator Ron Wyden, on the ongoing controversy related to DOGE's use of Treasury payment infrastructures. This decision has further fueled demands for clarity in understanding DOGE's role and actions within these systems.
The audit will thoroughly explore potential risks tied to DOGE's access, including concerns about disrupting congressionally authorized payments. The objective remains to ensure stringent security measures are in place and any gaps are promptly addressed.
