The U.S. Treasury's payment system won't be touched by Elon Musk's government efficiency team, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business on Wednesday, adding that any decisions to stop payments would be made by other agencies.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave Mr. Musk’s representatives at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency a powerful tool to monitor and potentially limit government spending.

Elon Musk’s allies have gained access to a US Treasury payment system that distributes more than $6 trillion (£4.8 trillion) each year, sparking fears the Trump administration is seeking to freeze funding for welfare programmes. The system is responsible for sending social security payments, Medicare benefits and tax refunds, among others.

In a letter to the Treasury secretary, the Democratic senator warned against meddling with a system that processes trillions of dollars of transactions.

The U.S. Department of Defense is developing plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing two U.S. defense officials.

With Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gaining control of the Treasury Department's payment system, consumer advocates and Democratic lawmakers are raising alarms about the group's access to the federal government's financial spigot,

Protestors set to gather to stop Elon Musk's billionaire takeover. Elon Musk recently gained control of the Treasury Department's payment system, raising some concerns. WASHINGTON, D.C. - A rally is set to convene at the Treasury building in protest of Elon Musk.