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Investigations Launched into Treasury Payment System Access
Recently, two government oversight bodies announced they would investigate the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to sensitive Treasury payment systems, according to letters sent to Congress.
In a communication to Senate Democrats, Treasury Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba revealed that an audit into the Bureau of Fiscal Service’s payment systems commenced on February 6. This investigation aims to assess whether sufficient controls were established to manage access to these systems and to ensure all payments made are legally justified. Notably, a staff member from DOGE reportedly obtained access to the Bureau’s system, which permitted them to read and write code—a detail highlighted in a Wired article. However, officials from the Trump administration have disputed claims about the ability to alter the system. The Treasury’s payment infrastructure is responsible for managing extensive disbursements, exceeding $5 trillion, which cover services such as Social Security and veteran benefits.
In his letter, Sciurba emphasized, “[W]e recognize the danger that improper access or inadequate controls can pose to the integrity of sensitive payment systems.”
The Inspector General’s office anticipates completing the audit by August but has committed to providing “interim updates” should any serious issues be identified before then. In a related development, a letter from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), also corroborated the initiation of a parallel investigation, asserting they will coordinate with the IG’s office.
Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) disclosed the letters, which were responses to their requests for inquiries into DOGE’s engagement with the Treasury’s systems. The request explicitly sought answers regarding what information was accessed by DOGE staffers, whether they possessed the necessary clearances, and if measures were implemented to avert conflicts of interest or personal gains—including those related to the businesses of DOGE head Elon Musk. Warren criticized an earlier response from the Treasury concerning access to the payment system, stating it raised “more questions than answers,” which prompted the senators to seek independent oversight.
During his presidency, Donald Trump removed several inspectors general, including the Treasury Department’s IG, despite a legal requirement for a notice period of 30 days to Congress before such dismissals. Although Trump aimed to remove Sciurba, a career civil servant who took a leadership role following the retirement of the acting inspector general in December, he could not be entirely dismissed. While the president maintains the authority to nominate and remove IGs, they retain their independence to audit, adhering to oversight rules from Congress.
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www.theverge.com