In pictures: Protesters rally outside US Treasury Department against Musk’s access

Hundreds of protesters, alongside Democratic lawmakers, gathered outside the US Treasury Department in Washington on Tuesday to denounce Elon Musk’s reported access to federal financial systems (AP photo)

The rally, which spilled onto the streets, focused on Musk’s "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) team. (AP photo)

The DOGE team is accused of accessing sensitive government data, including social security payments, Medicare reimbursements, and tax refunds. (AP photo)

The demonstrators voiced concerns over Musk’s growing influence, with many accusing him of gaining control over the country’s payment system. (AP photo)

Lawmakers and protesters alike warned that Musk’s power could lead to unfair treatment of critics and individuals he disagrees with (AP photo)

As the demonstration unfolded, news emerged that Musk’s team had been granted "read-only" access to the coded data within the government’s payment system, a move that was confirmed by the Treasury. (AP photo)

Despite this clarification, concerns over the security risks associated with Musk’s involvement continued to grow, particularly among former federal contractors who questioned the adequacy of the system’s protections. (AP photo)