Summary

Elon Musk announced that he is shutting down payments to federal contractors, suggesting his team has access to the Treasury Department’s payment systems.

Musk said that DOGE halted payments to Lutheran Family Services, a faith-based charity providing social services to refugees, by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Treasury officials have not confirmed the extent of his influence, but reports indicate DOGE has full access. Musk also called USAID “a criminal organization” that should “die.”

Senator Ron Wyden warned that DOGE could disrupt payments for Social Security, Medicare, and government contracts.