A little-known office within the U.S. Treasury Department has suddenly found itself in the spotlight, becoming a key battleground in a larger fight over federal spending. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which handles nearly 90% of all federal payments—including Social Security benefits, tax refunds, and federal worker payouts—is now at the heart of a controversial tug-of-war.

The drama began during President Trump’s transition into office when his team zeroed in on this obscure bureau. Unlike past transitions, which focused on broader policy briefings, Trump’s team dug into the nitty-gritty of how the bureau processes payments, even requesting access to its proprietary computer systems and field offices. This raised eyebrows among career Treasury officials, who found the level of interest unusual and concerning.

Fast forward to today, and tension has only grown. David Lebryk, the top civil servant at Treasury, recently stepped down after Trump-affiliated officials reportedly sought to stop certain federal payments. With Lebryk out, Musk’s DOGE associates gained full access to the government’s payment systems, sparking fears of political meddling in a critical financial pipeline.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has since called for an investigation, warning that allowing outside influence over these systems could jeopardize essential payments like Social Security and Medicare benefits. "It’s alarming that Elon Musk is attempting to gain access to the federal government’s critical payment system," she stated.

Meanwhile, Musk took to social media to claim his team discovered flaws in the system, alleging that payments were never denied, even to suspicious groups. However, experts clarified that the bureau’s role is simply to carry out lawful payments, not to make decisions about them.

As the battle continues, nonprofit groups and Democrat-led states are suing to prevent the administration from freezing federal spending. While a recent court ruling blocked some efforts to halt payments, the legal fights are far from over.

This once-overlooked office is now a central player in a high-stakes debate, raising questions about the future of federal spending and the potential for political interference in essential government functions.

With reporting from CNN.