In a move raising eyebrows across Washington, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been granted access to the federal payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in government funds annually, according to US media reports.

While DOGE is not an official agency but a team within the administration, sources suggest the group now has access to sensitive personal data of millions of Americans, raising concerns about privacy and oversight.

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The situation reportedly led to a standoff at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), where two officials were placed on leave after resisting DOGE’s efforts to access critical government systems.

The White House and Treasury Department have yet to comment. Just days after President Donald Trump announced the formation of DOGE, the team has spread across federal agencies with the goal of slashing government spending.

Musk, who helped establish the team, has enlisted support from allies in Silicon Valley and his private companies. This has created turbulence at agencies like the Treasury Department and USAID—two entities Musk has criticized on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), Musk called USAID “evil” and accused Treasury officials of “breaking the law every hour of every day,” further stoking controversy.

The Treasury division involved in these changes handles critical federal payments, including Social Security, government salaries, and money allocated by Congress—totaling nearly $6 trillion.

The controversy also extends to USAID, which distributes billions in aid. The agency’s website went offline, and its X account appears to have been deactivated. Reports claim DOGE members sought access to a classified facility, a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility).

Meanwhile, the broader federal workforce faces changes under Trump’s administration. Executive orders have sparked confusion, with employees receiving instructions to report colleagues allegedly disguising diversity efforts and encouraged to take paid resignations, leading to unease.

In response, many agencies, including the CDC, have removed references to diversity and inclusion and LGBTQ+ content from their websites, resulting in broken links, including those on LGBTQ+ health and mpox vaccines. While supporters argue diversity programs address historical inequalities, critics claim they can create new forms of discrimination, intensifying the debate.

Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, Dr. Nikodemos Damianos, is set to visit Athens on Monday evening for high-level discussions on digital governance with his Greek counterpart, Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou. The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, will focus on advancing digital transformation efforts and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Key Discussion Points

The agenda will include:

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• The interconnection of Cyprus’ “Digital Citizen” application with Greece’s “Gov.gr Wallet”, aims to enhance digital accessibility and cross-border interoperability.
• Joint initiatives in digital governance, with an emphasis on optimizing e-government services, sharing best practices, and leveraging innovative technologies to streamline public administration.

Additionally, officials from both countries will engage in a series of meetings to exchange expertise and explore new solutions for delivering high-quality digital public services. Special attention will be given to process simplification and system interoperability, ensuring smoother and more efficient digital experiences for citizens.

The European Union is prepared to engage in a constructive dialogue with the United States while maintaining a firm stance against any unfair or arbitrary targeting, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated at a press conference following the informal European Council meeting in Brussels. The summit, which focused on defense and transatlantic relations, underscored the EU’s commitment to cooperation but also its readiness to act if necessary.

Strengthening Transatlantic Cooperation

Addressing reporters, von der Leyen stressed that transatlantic cooperation remains a high priority, especially in the face of evolving geopolitical uncertainties. “We all know that much is at stake,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for a pragmatic and realistic partnership with Washington.

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“We discussed how to strengthen a very realistic cooperation with the US,” she noted, adding that the EU remains open to dialogue but is also prepared for potential challenges in its relationship with Washington.

“If the EU is targeted unfairly or arbitrarily, we will respond decisively,” she affirmed, signaling a firm stance against any economic or political measures that could disproportionately impact Europe.

Concerns Over US Tariffs

Von der Leyen also addressed US trade policies, particularly tariffs imposed on Mexico, Canada, and China. She criticized these measures, stating that “nothing positive comes out of this.”

“Tariffs increase business costs, harm workers and consumers, create unnecessary disruptions in the economy, and drive up inflation,” she explained, highlighting the potential negative ripple effects on global trade.

The EU’s Strategy Moving Forward

Despite potential tensions, the European Commission President reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to “productive discussions” with the US, stressing that dialogue must be conducted “in a timely manner.”

At the same time, von der Leyen emphasized the need for Europe to focus on its own economic resilience. “We have to do our job and focus on our own challenges—boosting and improving our competitiveness,” she stated, reinforcing the EU’s strategy of strengthening internal economic foundations while navigating external uncertainties.The message from Brussels is clear: the EU remains committed to collaboration with the US but will not hesitate to defend its interests if necessary. As global economic and political landscapes continue to shift, the strength of transatlantic relations will be tested in the months ahead.