McClellan Statement on Elon Musk and Trump-Vance Administration Monitoring Treasury Payment System

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) received access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system, one of the most sensitive U.S. government databases:

“The Trump-Vance Administration continues its senseless war on federal funding. Now, Elon Musk and his DOGE bros have access to Americans’ most sensitive information. In the name of ‘government efficiency,’ Musk and his minions have seized control of tens of millions of people’s personal information, including their banking information and Social Security numbers. To what end?

“These actions are unprecedented and outrageous. After a federal judge blocked their failed attempt to freeze congressionally approved funding disbursements, Musk and the Trump-Vance Administration now seek another avenue to steal money from the American people and circumvent Congress’s authority in an effort to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Only Congress holds the power of the purse. Despite their ongoing attempts, Musl and the Trump-Vance Administration cannot divert funding that has already been lawfully appropriated by Congress. Any attempt to do so is illegal.

“Since news of DOGE’s actions broke, my staff and I have heard from hundreds of constituents throughout my district — from federal employees to veterans to Social Security recipients — who are outraged at Musk’s actions and concerned about what DOGE might be able to do with their data. The American people have a right to expect that their most sensitive information will be shielded from the eyes of hyper-partisan political appointees. 

“The Trump-Vance Administration has betrayed the trust of the American people by handing the keys over to an unvetted and unelected billionaire. President Trump and Elon Musk continue to overreach in an attempt to exert absolute control over the federal government. We will not let them. I will continue to coordinate with my congressional colleagues, state and local governments, and impacted individuals and organizations to oppose the Trump-Vance Administration’s efforts to seize unprecedented power and wreak havoc on our nation.”

Congresswoman McClellan released a statement after the Trump-Vance Administration rescinded a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to freeze all federal grants and loans. Read the statement here.