During his visit to the Capitol on Wednesday, tech billionaire and Trump adviser Elon Musk announced his plan to expand his staff at the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk stated that the department, which is already operational within numerous federal agencies, is set to double its current size. In an interview on Fox Business, Musk shared that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) currently has around 100 employees and that he intends to increase this number to approximately 200.
Addressing concerns about the scope of DOGE’s authority, Musk emphasized that the department is actively engaged across various government departments, not limited to a single entity at a time. He confirmed that DOGE operates within nearly all federal departments, a sentiment echoed by Fox Business host Larry Kudlow.
While Musk does not hold the title of DOGE administrator, the Trump administration has affirmed his oversight of the office, with Amy Gleason serving as acting administrator. Musk’s aggressive approach to budget cuts has encountered resistance from state attorneys general and others, who argue that DOGE’s actions may exceed legal boundaries.
Despite facing challenges within his business empire, including Tesla, Musk expressed his commitment to his government role and improving efficiency in government operations. When questioned about his future plans, Musk hinted at remaining in his position for the foreseeable future as a special government employee. Amidst disruptions on his social media platform, X, Musk suggested a possible cyberattack originating from Ukraine-based IP addresses, though he did not provide concrete evidence to support this claim.
