Elon Musk issues Social Security warning: can DOGE intervene in SSA payments? | Marca
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Elon Musk has ignited controversy with his claims of widespread fraud within federal entitlement programs, including Social Security, but as head of the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is he allowed to intervene?
The South African billionaire was appointed by President Donald Trump and has Musk has vowed to tackle government inefficiencies. However, his push to access Treasury records has sparked fierce debate over privacy concerns and financial oversight.
Earlier this month, U.S Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent extended an offer to DOGE, granting access to the federal payments system responsible for distributing Social Security benefits; the system playing a crucial role in tracking and managing government spending.
While Musk sees this as an opportunity to curb fraud, critics argue that it could lead to dangerous overreach after he alleged that over $100 billion in annual entitlement payments are being made to individuals without a Social Security Number (SSN) or even a temporary ID.
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To combat these issues, Musk and DOGE have proposed implementing categorization codes and requiring justification in the comment field of payments. However, these plans have not been well received by all.
New York Judge Paul A. Engelmayer has issued a preliminary injunction preventing DOGE from accessing Treasury Department records containing personal financial data until Valentines' Day at the earliest.
For now, the injunction remains in place until the next court hearing on February 14, leaving Musk and DOGE's efforts in limbo. For now, they cannot intervene in Social Security Administration benefits.
Musk's assertions have been met with significant resistance from Democratic lawmakers, Social Security advocates, and former government officials. Many argue that his efforts are less about efficiency and more about gaining access to sensitive financial data.
At a rally outside the Social Security Administration (SSA) offices in Washington, D.C., former SSA Commissioner Martin O'Malley voiced concerns about allowing the richest man in the world access.
"This is not about efficiency. This is about two things," O'Malley told the public. "This is about stealing the personal data of Americans.
"And it is about taking a lifetime of earned benefits, your Social Security benefits, and turning it into a Bitcoin bank!"
