Dems voice anger at Elon Musk’s access to Treasury Department
Democratic congressional lawmakers gathered on Tuesday to vehemently oppose Elon Musk’s access to a Treasury Department office responsible for disbursing payments, following recent instructions to push back against the Trump administration. The House lawmakers expressed their disapproval of Musk being granted access to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which handles trillions in payments annually, including Social Security checks and federal salaries, through DOGE.
During a rally hosted by MoveOn Civic Action, Indivisible, and the Working Families Party, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., passionately declared, “Shut down the city! We are at war!” She called for protesters to join forces and fight against Musk’s involvement in the Department of the Treasury, emphasizing the need to resist the influence of wealthy individuals in government affairs.
The uproar against Musk escalated after he raised concerns about “fraudulent” Treasury payments in a post on X. He highlighted alleged irregularities in the payment approval process and suggested that payments were being approved without proper scrutiny. President Donald Trump defended Musk’s actions, stating that Musk can make decisions about personnel with approval from the administration.
However, Democratic lawmakers raised alarm about potential security risks and the mishandling of taxpayer funds with Musk’s involvement in the payment system. A Treasury Department official assured that a tech executive working with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency would only have “read-only access” to the payment system. Despite this reassurance, some lawmakers remained skeptical about the extent of Musk’s access and the lack of oversight in managing public funds.
Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, D-Fla., expressed concerns about Musk’s control over sensitive information and taxpayer money, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in financial operations. The protest against Musk’s involvement in the Treasury Department came after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., vowed to challenge the Trump administration’s agenda through grassroots activism.
As Democratic lawmakers continue to voice their opposition to Musk’s access to government financial systems, the debate over accountability, transparency, and the role of wealthy individuals in public affairs intensifies. The rally and subsequent statements underscore the growing concern among lawmakers about safeguarding public funds and ensuring responsible governance in the face of increasing corporate influence.
