Democratic leaders in each chambers on Monday vowed to introduce laws to “cease illegal meddling within the Treasury Division’s cost programs.”
Democrats have been sounding the alarm over studies that the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE), led by billionaire tech investor Elon Musk, was given entry to the Treasury Division’s sensitive payment systems.
“We should shield folks’s Social Safety funds, their Medicare funds, tax refunds, from any attainable tampering by DOGE or another unauthorized entities,” Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) instructed reporters at a press convention on Monday.
David Lebryk, who was the Treasury’s highest-ranking profession official, resigned following a clash with Musk over entry to the programs, a supply acquainted with the matter instructed The Hill on situation of anonymity.
Experiences additionally emerged over the weekend that officers on the U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) additionally blocked Musk’s allies from gaining access to secure systems.
President Trump mentioned on Monday that Musk “cannot do and will not do something with out our approval,” however he added that his administration will “give him the approval the place applicable.”
“We’re making an attempt to shrink authorities, and he can in all probability shrink it in addition to anyone else, if not higher, the place we predict there is a battle or if there’s an issue, we cannot let him go close to it,” Trump mentioned, however he added that Musk “has some superb concepts.”
Democrats are concentrating on Musk as he emerges as a key participant within the Trump administration’s cost-cutting efforts.
Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) earlier Monday launched a “pricey colleague” letter laying out a 10-point plan for combating Trump, together with a invoice concentrating on “illegal entry” to the Treasury Division cost system.
Democratic leaders are accusing the president of overstepping his powers on spending. Current efforts by Trump to freeze federal aid have additionally been tied up within the courts as critics elevate questions of legality.
“Let’s not mince phrases right here: An unelected, unaccountable billionaire with expansive conflicts of curiosity, deep ties to China and an indiscreet axe to grind in opposition to perceived enemies is hijacking our nation’s most delicate monetary knowledge programs and its checkbook in order that he can illegally block funds to our constituents primarily based on the slightest whim or wildest conspiracy funds,” Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.), high Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, mentioned to reporters on Monday, referring to Musk.
“Some Republicans are attempting to recommend that Musk solely has viewing entry to Treasury’s extremely delicate cost system, as if that is acceptable both,” she mentioned. “However why on Earth ought to we imagine that, significantly when he’s saying the precise reverse, loudly and repeatedly, for everybody to see?”
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