Democrats Fearmongering Over DOGE’s Treasury Access Based on Misinformation [WATCH]

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed concerns on Thursday regarding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its role in reviewing federal payment systems, pushing back against what he called “misinformation” circulating about the task force’s work.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Bessent explained that Treasury employees involved in the review have read-only access to federal payment data and are not altering or interfering with government financial operations.

“It is an operational review. It is not an ideological review,” Bessent told Saleha Mohsin, according to Bloomberg.

“The ability to change the system sits over at the Federal Reserve. We don’t even run the system.”

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He also emphasized that the team working with Elon Musk’s task force consists of trained professionals, countering claims that the effort lacks oversight.

“This is not some roving band running around doing things,” Bessent said.

“This is methodical, and it is going to yield big savings.”

Bessent expressed confidence in the initiative, calling it one of the most significant government audits and structural reviews in modern history.

“I believe that this DOGE program, in my adult life, is one of the most important audits of government, or changes to government structure, that we have seen.”

Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sets the record straight on Democrats’ false claims on DOGE.

Democrats are melting down over nothing. Don’t fall for it.

Host: “Right now there is widespread concern about the DOGE team’s access to sensitive payment systems…”

Scott:… pic.twitter.com/Aw5LHhE00b

— Media Lies (@MediasLies) February 7, 2025

Bessent’s interview followed a Tuesday letter from a Treasury Department official to federal lawmakers addressing concerns about DOGE’s access to federal payment data.

The letter reassured lawmakers that a tech executive working with Musk’s task force would have only read-only access to the system, meaning there would be no ability to change or manipulate payments.

The letter was sent in response to growing concerns among some members of Congress that DOGE’s involvement could pose security risks or lead to disruptions in federal payments, including those for Social Security and Medicare.

Lawmakers also raised concerns about Musk’s level of influence within the government, citing his public statements about cutting off payments to organizations.

Some Democrats have suggested that DOGE could improperly withhold funds or override career officials’ decisions to advance a political agenda.

In its response, the Treasury Department official stated that the review process has not resulted in delayed or redirected payments for Social Security, Medicare, or other federal obligations.

“The ongoing review has not caused payments for obligations such as Social Security and Medicare to be delayed or re-routed,” the letter confirmed.

The Department of Government Efficiency, a Trump administration task force, was established to streamline government spending by identifying inefficiencies, firing redundant federal employees, and cutting wasteful programs.

However, its sweeping authority has drawn opposition from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that its lack of public accountability raises concerns about how decisions are being made and whether career officials are being sidelined.

Critics have pointed to Musk’s social media posts, where he has suggested DOGE will shut down certain government payments.

Lawmakers worry that such decisions could be made based on political motives rather than policy considerations.

Despite the pushback, Bessent and DOGE officials maintain that the task force is focused solely on increasing government efficiency and that its current role in reviewing financial operations does not extend to altering payments or policy decisions.

As the review continues, debates over federal spending, bureaucratic oversight, and the role of private-sector figures in government decision-making are expected to intensify in the months ahead.

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