Top Treasury official retires over DOGE request for access to payment systems — Alex Gangitano

Summary

The Hill article by Alex Gangitano, dated 01/31/25, reporting that David Lebryk, a top nonpolitical career official at the Treasury Department, retired that Friday after clashing with allies of Elon Musk over government payment systems, according to a source familiar with the matter. It says the dispute followed a request from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk oversees, for access to the payment system Treasury officials use to disburse funds; the systems, run by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, control $6 trillion annually. Lebryk served in the Treasury Department for three decades, was appointed fiscal assistant secretary in 2014 and had been appointed acting Treasury secretary by President Trump while nominee Scott Bessent awaited confirmation. The Treasury Department and DOGE did not respond to a request for comment.

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Administration

Top Treasury official retires over DOGE request for access to payment systems

by Alex Gangitano - 01/31/25 6:23 PM ET

David Lebryk, a top Treasury Department nonpolitical career official, retired Friday after clashing with Elon Musk allies over government payment systems, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill on condition of anonymity.

The Washington Post first reported on Lebryk’s departure, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Upon his inauguration, President Trump had appointed Lebryk acting Treasury secretary while nominee Scott Bessent was waiting to be confirmed.

Lebryk’s retirement follows a dispute over a request from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk oversees, for access to the payment system that Treasury officials use to disburse funds.

The Post reported that a small number of career officials at Treasury have control over the systems, which are run by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Lebryk was previously first commissioner of the bureau.

The systems control $6 trillion annually, distributed as Social Security, Medicare, salaries for federal workers, payments to government contractors, payments to grant recipients and tax refunds.

Lebryk served in the Treasury Department for three decades and was appointed the fiscal assistant secretary in 2014, which is the most senior career position at the agency.

The Treasury Department and DOGE did not respond to a request for comment Lebryk’s retirement.

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