Summary

David A. Lebryk, a top Treasury official, is retiring after clashing with allies of Elon Musk over access to the U.S. government’s payment systems, which handle over $6 trillion annually in Social Security, Medicare, salaries, and tax refunds.

Typically controlled by a few career officials, these systems are crucial to tens, if not hundreds, of millions of people across the country.

Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) sought access under a Trump executive order, raising concerns over political influence.

The dispute underscores Musk’s growing influence and alarms experts over potential interference in federal financial operations.