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Following reports that people linked to Elon Musk sought access to a highly sensitive U.S. Treasury Department payment system, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, a Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, raises concern over political interference.
Oregon Senator Demands Answers On Musk Associate’s Access to Treasury System
In a news release, Wyden confirmed that he had sent Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent a letter outlining his concerns over the potential for political interference in the operation of these crucial payment systems.
Highlighting the economic risks and the imperative reasons the payment system cannot fail, Wyden said, “Any politically-motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy.”
Managed by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, the treasury payment system distributes trillions of dollars annually, which fund essential state functions such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax credits, and payments to government contractors.
Wyden made several specific requests for details of any access granted to Musk-affiliated personnel, the legal authority for such access, measures taken to ensure the integrity and security of the payment systems, and other issues.
He also questioned whether background checks were conducted on those seeking access and whether potential conflicts of interest in light of Musk’s business dealings in China were considered.
Musk’s significant business operations in China were addressed, including China’s history of cyber espionage targeting U.S. government systems.
Wyden warned that conflicts of interest could arise from Musk’s Chinese business ties. A national security risk could occur if Musk-affiliated access were granted to the sensitive payment systems.
Another concern is that the federal government currently relies on accounting maneuvers to meet its obligations after reaching its debt limit, adding to the financial strain. The Treasury Department had not responded by the time of publication.
Wyden is part of the problem!
The issues raised in this article and should be reposted with the widest publication and outreach to other news outlets that will give distribution to as many Americans as possible. The follow-up also should make note that government employees are being locked out of databases they use to perform their jobs. Case in point the CDC/NIH, the National Parks, and others that are used to administer social services to millions of Americans.
Good!