Let's Talk About Elon Musk's Role in Government

Although the majority of readers of this blog know Mr. Musk's background.  Let me refresh your memory with just a few facts:

• Richest individual in the world.  According to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List, Musk is worth $430.4 billion as of January 22, 2025.
• During his college years, Musk arrived in the United States on an Exchange Visitor Visa, which allows foreign students and researchers to study, teach, or consult in the country.
• Obtained U.S. citizenship in 2002.
• According to the current U.S. Constitution he can not be President of the United States because he is not a natural born citizen.
• Elon Musk has fathered 12 children. 
  
• Daughter Vivian is transgender.

The president appointed Musk to lead a temporary organization called the Department of Government Efficiency that works to cut unnecessary federal spending and modernize technology within the federal government. Trump has granted DOGE 18 months to accomplish its mission before disbanding in early July 2026.

Mr. Musk has officially joined the U.S. government as a "special government employee" (SGE) under the Trump administration. A special government employee is an executive branch appointee named to “perform important, but limited, services to the government, with or without compensation, for a period not to exceed 130 days” during a one-year period.  The U.S. Office of Government Ethics has a set of 14 provisions that guide these employees in the execution of their duties. In the past, SGEs have acted as consultants in development of policy and the effects those policies may have on specific business or economic issues. 

The Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created by the president on January 20 by executive order. (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/) .  The purpose as stated in the order reads: "This Executive Order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President’s DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity."  Under President Obama this department was known as The United States Digital Service. With establishment of the executive order it is publicly renamed as the United States DOGE Service (USDS) and shall be established in the Executive Office of the President. 

"There shall be a USDS Administrator established in the Executive Office of the President who shall report to the White House Chief of Staff. There is further established within USDS, in accordance with section 3161 of title 5, United States Code, a temporary organization known as “the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization”. The U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization shall be headed by the USDS Administrator and shall be dedicated to advancing the President’s 18-month DOGE agenda. The U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization shall terminate on July 4, 2026."  Elon Musk is the appointed administrator of this department.

What appears to be less understood is the scope of the activities this executive order includes.  Since assuming this role Mr. Musk has spearheaded the following activities:

DEI Programs: early work was concentrated on rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that had been enshrined into law by previous administrations.

Office Leases:  carrying out several lease terminations of “underutilized buildings” in recent days. Between 3 and 5 Feb, the number of canceled leases grew from 3 to 34.

Medicare and Medicaid:  In a statement, the agency said: “We are taking a thoughtful approach to see where there may be opportunities for more effective and efficient use of resources in line with meeting the goals of President Trump.”

Federal Employee Buyout:  it was reported that the federal government had offered employees a substantial payout amounting to eight month’s worth of salary. No fewer than 2 million workers were offered the deal, which has been accepted by just 1% of that total figure. While questions swirl about the legality of Trump and Musk’s maneuver, it sets a clear precedent: staff layoffs will continue to surge under the new administration.

USAID:  the majority of domestic USAID staff have been placed on administrative leave, with a further 10,000 around the world set for a similar fate. USAID provides billions of dollars in humanitarian aid and development funding every year.

So what are the concerns?

1. The administration granted Musk's DOGE team access to the federal payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in transactions, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. 
2. Several major corporations, including Visa, United Airlines and Amazon, have partnered with Musk's businesses, such as X and Starlink, amid his growing government role. Investors anticipate that Trump's regulatory policies and tariffs will favor Musk's companies.
3. Much of DOGE’s work is happening behind the scenes. Team members have shown up at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Treasury Department, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, among other agencies. Their arrival is never publicly announced, and career staff members are looking over their shoulders for unfamiliar faces in the hallways.
4. DOGE employees have not been publicly vetted nor do they provide government employees with their full names when engaging with them in federal offices.
5. A complete lack of transparency. 

Be informed, be aware, be engaged.  Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.