Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

dalton99a

(86,122 posts)
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 05:46 PM Feb 2

The only Democrat who spoke out against this terrorist Elon Musk who is ransacking our government

https://katu.com/news/local/wyden-demands-answers-on-musk-personnel-seeking-access-to-us-treasury-system

Wyden demands answers on Musk personnel seeking access to U.S. Treasury system
by Sana Aljobory
Sat, February 1st 2025 at 12:00 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KATU) — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has called for an explanation from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent following reports that individuals linked to Elon Musk attempted to gain access to a highly sensitive Treasury Department payment system. The system, which is managed by non-political staff, handles trillions of dollars annually, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax credits, and payments to government contractors, some of which compete with Musk-owned companies.

“To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically-motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy,” Wyden wrote in a letter to Bessent. “I am deeply concerned that following the federal grant and loan freeze earlier this week, these officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs.”

Wyden expressed further concern about Musk's business ties to China, stating, “The press has previously reported that Musk was denied a high-level clearance to access the government’s most sensitive secrets. I am concerned that Musk’s enormous business operation in China...endangers U.S. cybersecurity and creates conflicts of interest that make his access to these systems a national security risk.”

Wyden's letter posed several questions to the Treasury Department, including whether officials linked to Musk or DOGE have requested or been granted access to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems, and if so, under what legal authority and for what purpose. The senator also inquired about any vetting processes conducted by the Treasury Department regarding potential conflicts of interest due to Musk’s business operations in China.
86 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The only Democrat who spoke out against this terrorist Elon Musk who is ransacking our government (Original Post) dalton99a Feb 2 OP
I simply cannot wrap my head around why ALL other Dem leaders are silent on this SheltieLover Feb 2 #1
I just emailed both of my Senators drmeow Feb 2 #3
Thank you. We all need to do what you're doing. ancianita Feb 2 #16
I called leighbythesea2 Feb 2 #27
Thank you! ancianita Feb 2 #32
Mine Katcat Feb 2 #53
Where RU Cabin Life Mom Monday #58
Contact your state attorney general too gypsy11 Feb 2 #20
Ours is Brenna Bird Bettie Monday #66
Me too! CrispyQ Feb 2 #24
I contactrd both of mine BonnieJW Feb 2 #45
I did too... judy Monday #72
It is a profound mystery. dalton99a Feb 2 #4
He controls their futures. rubbersole Feb 2 #37
If only they'd sworn some sort of oath or something. Orrex Feb 2 #48
tsf is known to do everything he can KS Toronado Monday #69
You need to go after the GOP politicians MORE. valleyrogue Feb 2 #33
Not one fucking republican will do shit about anything Trump and Musk do. Autumn Feb 2 #57
This message was self-deleted by its author LiberalArkie Feb 2 #40
I emailed them all yesterday russiamommy Feb 2 #46
Yes !!!! Meowmee Monday #59
But they're not. It's yet another false headline. pnwmom Monday #61
Collaborators. That's the truth of it. mucholderthandirt Monday #65
I am glad to see DENVERPOPS Monday #74
Directly above this post from two days ago is a post from today about a press conference of Dems in front of USAID. Plus mahina Monday #80
THANK YOU Senator Wyden !!! Think. Again. Feb 2 #2
The only? I doubt that. NT mahatmakanejeeves Feb 2 #5
Feel free to add another name dalton99a Feb 2 #6
I'm on a phone, but check the many congresscritters who represent the districts surrounding DC. mahatmakanejeeves Feb 2 #9
Jamie Raskin meadowlander Feb 2 #15
Yes Baron2024 Feb 2 #19
Someone else was mentioned this morning, I don't recall who. CrispyQ Feb 2 #28
Jasmine Crockett meadowlander Feb 2 #17
AOC Renew Deal Wednesday #86
Too few tbh... Arazi Feb 2 #18
I will not apologize for my "paranoia." Somehow there needs to be security identified for those who speak out... hlthe2b Feb 2 #7
Absolutely! SheltieLover Feb 2 #8
I want to know if I should pay my taxes this year Wicked Blue Feb 2 #10
It would give them an excuse to put you in prison. Qutzupalotl Feb 2 #54
I think every elected Democratic official stillcool Feb 2 #11
It goes triple for the GOP. valleyrogue Monday #68
We KNOW the Rethuglicans won't do anything to stop it. OMGWTF Monday #71
Wyden is my Senator AncientOfDays Feb 2 #12
+1. It is a topic for Congressional investigation dalton99a Feb 2 #13
Not true. Our other Senator, Jeff Merkley, has been. He was on tv I think Friday talking about it and Amaryllis Feb 2 #25
GOOD to hear! calimary Feb 2 #56
The House can adopt articles of impeachment on Trump and Vance; it only takes a 50% +1 vote for each. ancianita Feb 2 #22
He is my senator too but what action do you suggest he can take? Amaryllis Feb 2 #26
That's what we're paying Wyden for AncientOfDays Wednesday #85
I am glad our senators are speaking out Tree Lady Feb 2 #49
Musk Is A Fascist And A Traitor Baron2024 Feb 2 #14
What happens with sanctions? suegeo Monday #64
What Musk is up to is far more important and any delusional comments about Canada or Greenland jgmiller Feb 2 #21
You are correct Sewa Feb 2 #42
Are the recipients of that letter Fired already? Justice matters. Feb 2 #23
AOC addressed it today LymphocyteLover Feb 2 #29
Also Jasmine Crockett also addressed it LymphocyteLover Feb 2 #30
I'm glad I have two good senators. Hassler Feb 2 #31
Post removed Post removed Feb 2 #34
Quite a first post. Welcome to DU I guess. GP6971 Feb 2 #36
lol Orrex Feb 2 #47
And they didn't even say goodbye!!! GP6971 Feb 2 #50
Did someone order a pizza ? magicarpet Monday #79
Thank you Dalton99a for this post. stage left Feb 2 #35
Ron Wyden is one of my Senators. I HEARTILY approve!!! calimary Feb 2 #38
Merkley has been all over this all week and this weekend. He had two press conferences. Dont assume Amaryllis Monday #70
Good. calimary Monday #84
I couldn't walk into any office building downtown, walk into a corporation, and do this. Where is building security???? NBachers Feb 2 #39
The head of the Treasury Department said they could go in. intheflow Feb 2 #41
Musk is a psychopath... GiqueCee Feb 2 #43
Congress is full of cowards 4catsmom Feb 2 #44
You're either standing up and resisting or you're in danger of becoming a Vishy flirt. Magoo48 Monday #67
Who ever has Wyden as a rep thinkingagain Feb 2 #51
Any is good but much more of this please. Prairie_Seagull Feb 2 #52
Get the word out that the Trump Government is being sued SuperCGB Feb 2 #55
This is SO IMPORTANT! Lulu KC Monday #73
Citizens arrest of eloon and all his cronies if necessary Meowmee Monday #60
Musk is a clear and present danger to the world... MiHale Monday #62
I feel as if I'm in a dream sequence, a really bad dream Dem4life1234 Monday #63
My guess is that WestofDenver Monday #75
That changed today. Democrats have gathered in front of the USAID speaking on this exact point, and except for CSPAN, JohnSJ Monday #76
Kicking SheltieLover Monday #77
All hands on deck. Passages Monday #78
Fnally! mchill Monday #81
My guy RANDYWILDMAN Monday #82
I hope you saw what happened at USAID today n/t Lulu KC Monday #83

SheltieLover

(61,991 posts)
1. I simply cannot wrap my head around why ALL other Dem leaders are silent on this
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 05:47 PM
Feb 2

WTAF? They WORK FOR US, or are supposed to!

Bettie

(17,663 posts)
66. Ours is Brenna Bird
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 09:16 AM
Monday

she probably plans to sell compromised data to anyone who will pay, she and Kim Reynolds will probably split the money, but Kim gets a larger cut.

judy

(1,950 posts)
72. I did too...
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 11:35 AM
Monday

They should implement Professor Snyder's idea of a Shadow Government, and use it to schedule press conferences as often as the media will take it. Plus use every trick in the book in Congress to stymie the nominees (they all voted for Marco effing Rubio!! ) and many other ways to gum up the evil works...plus maybe a lawsuit against Elon for stealing private data without authority to do so, whatever, throw spaghetti on the wall like crazy! Do something!!

Autumn

(47,207 posts)
57. Not one fucking republican will do shit about anything Trump and Musk do.
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 10:31 PM
Feb 2

Not a single one. That old dead dog won't hunt

Response to SheltieLover (Reply #1)

russiamommy

(271 posts)
46. I emailed them all yesterday
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 09:03 PM
Feb 2

Unfortunately they’re all Spineless Republicans. But it certainly can’t hurt. We need to make as much noise as possible.

pnwmom

(109,713 posts)
61. But they're not. It's yet another false headline.
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 05:04 AM
Monday

I just picked my own Senator, and here she is:





Senator Patty Murray
@PattyMurray
All of your most sensitive data and our country’s checkbook are in the hands of an unelected billionaire.

This is the most corrupt administration in history and it’s putting our economy & government in serious jeopardy.

It’s time to speak out and fight back.

DENVERPOPS

(10,667 posts)
74. I am glad to see
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 12:30 PM
Monday

all of the Dems, finally, at long last, waking up to the reality of what the Republican Party has become, and what they have been working towards this past 45+ years. Just chippin' away, piece by piece, playing the long game till they could arrive at where they are today..........

For 45+ years, some of us have been screaming our heads off, from the rooftops, ever since HW and his CABAL committed Treason to Install puppet Reagan in the White House, so they could go to work in the shadows............

As far as I am concerned: Almost all of the Dems, for decades, have been walking down the jungle path, swatting at mosquitoes, completely oblivious to the herd of charging elephants......(Pun Intended)

We have been fighting the Guerrilla Warfare Strategy and Tactics the Republicans have been using for 45+ years, and we have been using "sternly worded letters" and such...........

I am still in hopes that something will happen, but it is looking more like Checkmate with every day that passes....And it is accelerating, with every hour that passes.

The awkward silence from the Dems in the House and Senate, if nothing else, continues to display the lack of leadership in the Dem Party that has plagued them for decade after decade........

Just as Global warming has passed the point of no return, I fear that our Democracy may have also passed the point of no return.

As I have said countless times, the perfect title for a book about the past 45+ years would be:

WHILE THE NATION SLEPT

mahina

(19,375 posts)
80. Directly above this post from two days ago is a post from today about a press conference of Dems in front of USAID. Plus
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 03:09 PM
Monday

my Senator said he will stop voting to allow anything to move forward until USAID is restored. (paraphrasing.) https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219983314
https://www.c-span.org/program/news-conference/congressional-democrats-on-trump-admin-closing-usaid-hq/655285

mahatmakanejeeves

(62,681 posts)
9. I'm on a phone, but check the many congresscritters who represent the districts surrounding DC.
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 05:59 PM
Feb 2

The aren’t shy about speaking out.

Baron2024

(1,060 posts)
19. Yes
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:22 PM
Feb 2

The alarm has been sounded, multiple times. The question now is what do we do to stop it? This is an illegal fascist takeover of the Federal Government. Those that are loyal to the Constitution and not to Trump/Musk must take action now and depose this illegal Fascist Regime. Words and business as usual will not work. We need the lawful use of force to remove the Dictator Trump and his Co-Dictator Musk.

CrispyQ

(38,984 posts)
28. Someone else was mentioned this morning, I don't recall who.
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:44 PM
Feb 2

I'll see if I can find the post.

There are some brave voices but seriously, why the hell isn't the entire party speaking out against the fascism that's happening before our eyes? Schumer, Klobuchar, Jeffries, what weak, pathetic responses.

Arazi

(7,485 posts)
18. Too few tbh...
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:22 PM
Feb 2

Jasmine Crockett on MSNBC a couple hours ago.

Bernie on Meet The Press this morning.

Those are the only ones today afaik

hlthe2b

(107,713 posts)
7. I will not apologize for my "paranoia." Somehow there needs to be security identified for those who speak out...
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 05:54 PM
Feb 2

including our Dems in Congress who still have the fight left in them and the courage to go along. Wyden is one of them.

Wicked Blue

(7,257 posts)
10. I want to know if I should pay my taxes this year
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:06 PM
Feb 2

if it turns our that I owe the IRS.

What if I refuse to support this nightmare?

Qutzupalotl

(15,195 posts)
54. It would give them an excuse to put you in prison.
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 10:03 PM
Feb 2

You are much more effective on the outside, and we need you. I understand your concern especially under the circumstances, but this is when we need all hands on deck.

stillcool

(33,140 posts)
11. I think every elected Democratic official
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:06 PM
Feb 2

needs to be on video, or at least audio, every waking hour of their life, to make sure the people that elected them can get a grip. It should not be available to anyone who did not vote for them. Huh...that might take care of it right there!
Perhaps some special job training should have been implemented prior to the American people electing Republicans to be in power of all three branches of the federal government. This is exactly what the American people whose votes counted want.

valleyrogue

(1,608 posts)
68. It goes triple for the GOP.
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 09:29 AM
Monday

THEY are the ones who are the majority, however slight, in Congress.

Stop putting all the pressure on Democrats and letting the GOP off the hook.

OMGWTF

(4,547 posts)
71. We KNOW the Rethuglicans won't do anything to stop it.
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 11:18 AM
Monday

Feckless Democrats are our only hope. Unless the international community comes to our rescue.

AncientOfDays

(217 posts)
12. Wyden is my Senator
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:11 PM
Feb 2

But I think it needs more than a letter for this. We need action.

Now they're spinning it as Read Only, but even that's bad news and most certainly false (if not now, soon).

I'd call for impeachment, but tRump's goons are in charge of any resolutions that come before Congress.

dalton99a

(86,122 posts)
13. +1. It is a topic for Congressional investigation
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:15 PM
Feb 2

I suspect the criminal regime - and the corporate media - will ignore it - because there is nobody else beside Wyden complaining


Amaryllis

(9,935 posts)
25. Not true. Our other Senator, Jeff Merkley, has been. He was on tv I think Friday talking about it and
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:38 PM
Feb 2

has sent out emails to Oregonians.

Tree Lady

(12,216 posts)
49. I am glad our senators are speaking out
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 09:04 PM
Feb 2

I am in Oregon also but now wonder if he will come after our state. That seems to be all he knows how to do, bully and find revenge.

Baron2024

(1,060 posts)
14. Musk Is A Fascist And A Traitor
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:16 PM
Feb 2

The Dictator Musk and his criminal DOGE Agents will freeze all federal funding now that they have control over the payment system at the Treasury Department. No payments to Federal Workers, no payments to Social Security recipients, probably no payments to Democratic Members of the Congress (I believe that the Treasury Department cuts their checks. This might be a reason for the deafening silence coming from most Congressional Dems.). This is of course highly illegal and unconstitutional but Trump and Musk don't care about the law. They are Fascists and this is a fascist takeover of our government. I do not understand why the remaining FBI Agents do not go to a Judge and get an arrest warrant for Musk and his DOGE Agents. I believe that Obstruction of Government Operations is a Felony.

jgmiller

(487 posts)
21. What Musk is up to is far more important and any delusional comments about Canada or Greenland
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:25 PM
Feb 2

This and the tariffs will destroy our economy quicker than anything else he can do.

LymphocyteLover

(7,237 posts)
29. AOC addressed it today
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:46 PM
Feb 2
https://bsky.app/profile/aoc.bsky.social/post/3lha3ooac6s2h


‪Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez‬ ‪@aoc.bsky.social‬
·
1h
Yes. While there are absolutely things Democrats can and must do to slow, obstruct, etc, GOP hold both House and Senate majorities, severely limiting our options.

Johnson and Thune are handing over the own keys and relinquishing their own power. Even for the cynics this should be a shock.

‪southpaw‬ ‪@nycsouthpaw.bsky.social‬
·
6h
We all like to yell at the Democrats, but it’s really Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune who are letting Elon Musk and his faceless goon squad make a mockery of their power as leaders of a coequal branch without uttering a peep or lifting a finger.

LymphocyteLover

(7,237 posts)
30. Also Jasmine Crockett also addressed it
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 06:49 PM
Feb 2


Jasmine Crockett
@JasmineForUS
House went out of session on Thursday (1/23) & they went ape shit. We could only be called back in by speaker johnson and even when we go back in on Tuesday, I’m doubtful that the Republican controlled house has any plans of doing anything productive… more like they will focus on being destructive. I am interested in at least having shadow hearings to bring out the truth, but he’s literally gutting all checks and balances that exists in government. As the court cases ensue, it’s my sincere hope that at least they begin to shut the lunacy down.
2:12 PM · Feb 2, 2025

In response to:

JC on the Island
@jgcarey80

How does an unelected, no background check passing, billionaire and a made up ’Dept’ of equally unscrutinized people get access to the US Treasury system? Who is overseeing their actions in it?

Response to dalton99a (Original post)

stage left

(3,038 posts)
35. Thank you Dalton99a for this post.
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 07:11 PM
Feb 2

Every Democratic senator and representative should be raising a stink about Elon Musk. Musk is an unelected official in an imaginary government agency. He has no business sticking his nasty fingers in any government database. Good grief! We might as well let Putin become treasury secretary. I'm calling my representatives, who are Republicans, every day about this horrorific turn of events. I may be yelling into the void, but I'm yelling. Those of you who have Democratic representatives, please call them and express your anger and concern. I've read many times that only calls are noted. Not emails or letters. Please call! Please! I'll be calling, too. And while, you've got them on the phone, ask them to vote against any and all of the Felon's cabinet nominees.

calimary

(85,132 posts)
38. Ron Wyden is one of my Senators. I HEARTILY approve!!!
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 07:32 PM
Feb 2

But I have to ask: WHERE ARE YOU, Jeff Merkley??? Why is Wyden sticking his neck out - all by himself? WHERE THE FUCK are YOU, Merkley? And for that matter, WHERE are all the rest of our Dems? In hiding??? Cowering in some basement? Throwing us to the wolves because you’d rather save yourselves???

I want an answer to that, dammit!!!

Amaryllis

(9,935 posts)
70. Merkley has been all over this all week and this weekend. He had two press conferences. Dont assume
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 10:45 AM
Monday

just because you are not aware of what they are doing that they are doing nothing. He has been working tirelessly.

NBachers

(18,283 posts)
39. I couldn't walk into any office building downtown, walk into a corporation, and do this. Where is building security????
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 07:38 PM
Feb 2

intheflow

(29,274 posts)
41. The head of the Treasury Department said they could go in.
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 07:55 PM
Feb 2

No need for security if the new boss says they’re cool.

GiqueCee

(1,665 posts)
43. Musk is a psychopath...
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 08:28 PM
Feb 2

... on a level that makes Trump look like a choirboy. Failure to take any and all possible measures to contain him and his minions will never, EVER be forgiven.

Prairie_Seagull

(3,961 posts)
52. Any is good but much more of this please.
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 09:10 PM
Feb 2

We are all rudderless, we need our leadership to be out there, everywhere. Are they waiting on something? Something that will explain what is happening? This shit is so wrong it defies reason. I mean seriously WTF!!!!!

Here is an idea, start a Go Fund Me for a honest to dog whistleblower. Money takes down bigger money.

SuperCGB

(1 post)
55. Get the word out that the Trump Government is being sued
Sun Feb 2, 2025, 10:09 PM
Feb 2

These organizations are not waiting for Congress to help. Public Citizens Litigation Group, AFGE, AFSME, Democracy Forward, AFT, the Center for Biological Diversity, National Security Councilors, APHA. State Democracy Defenders, and the law firm of Bredhoff and Kaiser LLC have filed lawsuits son 1/20/26 and 1/29/25. These lawsuits need to be publicized and supported. You can read about them at AFGE.org and Thehill.com, and cheddar.com.

I would like to know how we can push these lawsuits through the courts as soon as possible.

Lulu KC

(6,458 posts)
73. This is SO IMPORTANT!
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 11:54 AM
Monday

I see people panicking, and I also feel very nervous, but there is such lack of awareness of these lawsuits. They are too boring to make front pages of MSM and they don't all have the capacity for P/R campaigns. I am hoping the new DNC will serve that purpose. They need a minute to get their acts together, but I believe the intelligence is there.
Timing is everything. After a loss in November, February feels like forever away.

Dem4life1234

(2,390 posts)
63. I feel as if I'm in a dream sequence, a really bad dream
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 08:11 AM
Monday

Never ever seen this level of bullshit before in US government.

He needs to be deported, Apartheid Clyde isn't q government official.

WestofDenver

(26 posts)
75. My guess is that
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 01:24 PM
Monday

*usk's minions are, among other tasks, setting up database filters that will allow, at a completely granular level, the categorization of any person or business that has had dealings with the Federal government into friend ... foe. As a 'foe' the affects could range from the delayed payment of an important invoice, or maybe the loss of a few SS checks, or maybe the entity that is declared an 'enemy of the people' (meaning an enemy *rump) is disappeared from all Federal records. And try to get reinstated...
As a 'friend' your way will be smoothed...

JohnSJ

(97,317 posts)
76. That changed today. Democrats have gathered in front of the USAID speaking on this exact point, and except for CSPAN,
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 01:29 PM
Monday

pathetically the MSM, CNN and MSNBC don't find it important enough to cover.

mchill

(1,148 posts)
81. Fnally!
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 03:17 PM
Monday

It’s about taking the power of the purse away from Congress!

It’s about giving one CEO technocrat total control of government.

It’s about eliminating the Federal bureaucracy and restarting it from the ground up with loyalists and people Musk deems who excel.

It’s about Curtis Yarvin, a code-writing political philosopher describing a US government he has reimagined and Elon Musk is effecting.

https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/red-pill-prince-curtis-yarvin?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0anMyxDtnTEirCGAip4nftpW4g8MZPIQ--48-j3kxhnNy-KXeVN5xSKCg_aem_PLhjoggpTQzCTKzKoXwrRA

Tariffs, tearing up treaties, stopping aid are not about fentanyl, banks not allowed in Canada, it’s about this:

https://robertreich.substack.com/p/what-you-need-to-know-about-trumps?r=1pbgk4&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true

The bigger picture is being lost in the face of a fire hose of chaos.

RANDYWILDMAN

(2,989 posts)
82. My guy
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 03:20 PM
Monday

met him at a coffee house, Might be the most down to earth Senator is the world.

He is always looking out for people....

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The only Democrat who spo...