Treasury Limits DOGE Staff Access to Payment Systems Amid Controversy

The U.S. Treasury Department has agreed to restrict access for most members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to sensitive payment systems, allowing only two officials—Tom Krause and Marko Elez—limited, read-only privileges. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by union groups against Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, citing concerns over DOGE’s infiltration into multiple federal agencies.

DOGE, reportedly led by billionaire Elon Musk, has faced scrutiny for its deep involvement in government operations. The group has allegedly attempted to access systems across various departments, including Labor, Education, and Medicare services. While some reports claim DOGE has full control over Treasury’s payment infrastructure, the agency has denied these allegations, asserting that current access remains strictly observational.

A Tuesday letter from the Treasury, directed to Congress, confirmed Krause’s employment within the department but left unanswered questions about the extent of DOGE-affiliated personnel’s involvement. The letter stated that access to financial data is akin to that granted to auditors and follows established security protocols.

Concerns over DOGE’s influence have been amplified by reports that the department’s former top career official, David A. Lebryk, was forced into retirement after resisting DOGE’s access to Treasury systems. Meanwhile, Bloomberg has reported that Bessent personally discussed Krause’s role in overseeing Treasury’s digital infrastructure in December.

Adding to the controversy, Wired revealed that a 19-year-old DOGE team member, Edward Coristine—allegedly linked to cyberattack-for-hire services—has access to government networks. Experts suggest Coristine’s background would likely prevent him from obtaining a security clearance, raising further concerns about DOGE’s unchecked presence within federal agencies.