Musk retreats, paving way for DOGE as agency undergoes extensive reductions and restructuring
Rewritten Article
Elon Musk's role in President Donald Trump's White House may be dwindling, but his brainchild, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is set to persist post-departure. In less than four months, DOGE has ingrained itself within the government, with personnel in key positions, work already underway to modernize outdated software systems, and a push to assemble a central database for sensitive personal data to expedite immigration enforcement and root out fraud.
These staffers—temporary or long-term—have proven resilient, with titles ranging from permanent positions to limited-duration roles. One General Services Administration employee hinted at the continued chaos, stating, "Elon's people are here and they're not leaving, so the insanity will prevail with no change."
Over the past four months, DOGE has rocked the federal government. More than 121,000 federal workers have been let go or targeted for layoffs in the Trump administration's first 100 days, and many were forced to relocate or return to their offices to keep their jobs. Grants and programs have been slashed, only to be reinstated following court challenges.
DOGE's mission remains somewhat indistinct, according to Bradley Humphreys, a senior Justice Department trial attorney. As Musk exits the scene, it remains unclear whether DOGE and its placed staffers will manage to push through their goals, especially if they face clashes with Cabinet secretaries or political backlash.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew were among the secretaries who've challenged DOGE, claiming it overstepped its authority. With Musk out of the picture, his absence could make it easier for DOGE's work to progress, though it might also mean less public scrutiny.
A senior agency official, who works closely with DOGE team members, stated that the initial shock and awe Musk unleashed were necessary, but "there's a natural point of diminishing returns that comes with that approach." Without the constant glare of attention, "it's no longer about authority and access—it's about action."
Rep. Rich McCormick—a Republican who faced criticism over Musk's early actions—suggested that the work of DOGE will continue, albeit less publicly visible.
DOGE was Musk's brainchild, and its strategic initiatives and goals were driven by the tech titan. He immersed himself in aggressive decision-making across agencies, often working without specific titles or employment agreements. Musk's approach led to a tense work environment, with him becoming increasingly isolated in Trump's circle as Tesla faced turmoil.
Musk stated that he's stepping back from DOGE to focus on Tesla, but it remains unclear if he'll maintain an official or unofficial advisory role for Trump. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the DOGE's mission—to cut waste, fraud, and abuse—will persist, with DOGE employees carrying on their work with Trump's cabinet to make the government more efficient.
Allies of Musk in Congress argue that his departure has no bearing on DOGE's future. Rep. Aaron Bean of Florida, who co-leads the House DOGE caucus, claims that "the momentum is there" and that Musk "has been the rocket that has lifted DOGE into orbit. Now there comes a time where the rocket booster separates because the mission to break Earth's gravity has been completed."
While the administration remains vague about the size and scope of DOGE after Musk's departure, an official hinted that its staff will be substantial. Some DOGE team members have already been integrated into traditional agency roles, while others continue to exert their influence in the form of senior leadership positions across various departments and agencies.
DOGE-aligned officials control critical government agencies and have identified, sidelined, or ousted top officials in the Social Security Administration, IRS, Office of Personnel Management, General Services Administration, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Newly installed officials have granted access to secure information systems to DOGE engineers, though data access has been obstructed by lawsuits in some instances.
DOGE team members have been tasked with updating agency data systems, combating fraud, and streamlining government operations. While some agency staffers have been skeptical of their DOGE counterparts, others have noted a productive working relationship between the two groups.
The tension between DOGE and non-DOGE employees remains palpable, with DOGE staffers often ignoring their colleagues and working in isolation, shutting their office doors, and even locking them. This environment has engendered a deep distrust among federal workers, with the planned wave of future terminations creating even greater anxiety.
- As Elon Musk's influence in President Donald Trump's White House wanes, his brainchild, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), continues to leverage technology to modernize outdated software systems and education-and-self-development initiatives, with a focus on sports and politics, to enhance government efficiency.
- Despite Elon Musk's departure from the White House, the DOGE team's influence extends beyond their temporary or long-term positions, reaching into key agencies such as the Social Security Administration, IRS, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where they aim to use sports, politics, and technology to streamline operations and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.
