Elon Musk Discusses White House DOGE Office
During the interview, Musk was joined by several prominent allies and a DOGE engineer to discuss the initiatives of the White House DOGE office. Notably absent was Amy Gleason, the acting DOGE office administrator recognized by the White House as the head of the office. Her absence was felt, as her name was not mentioned throughout the discussion.
In a public appearance for the first time representing the DOGE team, Musk was flanked by key figures such as Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and former Morgan Stanley banker Anthony Armstrong. Additionally, DOGE engineer Aram Moghaddass was present. Not present were Edward Coristine, known as “Big Balls,” and Marko Elez, who had previously resigned following the surfacing of controversial posts prior to Musk and Vice President JD Vance advocating for his reinstatement.
The DOGE office has captured significant attention in the wake of President Donald Trump’s initial 100 days into his second term. As part of this, the Trump administration has conducted mass dismissals affecting thousands of staff members.
Musk, who serves as a senior advisor to the White House, provided insights into the DOGE office during his Fox News interview. His involvement has raised questions regarding the boundaries of his role in the initiative.
It’s important to note that both Gleason and another White House official have previously indicated in federal court that Musk is not officially recognized as a DOGE office employee or its leader. This statement arose during a legal dispute regarding whether DOGE is subject to federal record laws.
The ongoing debate includes whether Trump’s directive to rename the existing US Digital Service as DOGE protects its records from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. If the office is indeed shielded, its records could remain sealed long after Trump exits office. Conversely, if not, the DOGE office would be required to comply with disclosure requirements immediately. A former high-ranking National Archives official indicated that DOGE is likely subject to FOIA.
Despite these legal complexities, Musk continues to be treated as the informal leader of DOGE. Several lawsuits surrounding DOGE’s activities are attempting to delineate Tesla CEO’s responsibilities and involvement, even causing confusion among Department of Justice attorneys when defining his role.
In the courts, federal unions and Democratic attorneys general have embarked on efforts to halt the widespread firings, achieving some success. This includes a recent ruling mandating that the Trump administration rehire certain probationary employees, typically those with under two years in their roles.
