Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has been leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with a goal of dramatically shrinking the federal government. Since Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2025, DOGE has recommended firing tens of thousands of civil servants, closing agencies, and restructuring departments.
However, a new report from The New York Times reveals that Musk’s plan didn’t truly begin until after Trump won the 2024 election. In fact, the plan was hastily put together in the weeks following Trump’s victory, raising questions about the long-term strategy and legality of DOGE’s actions.
How Did DOGE Begin?
Early November 2024:
- Musk stayed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, renting a $2,000-a-night cottage, where the initial DOGE plans were created.
- Vivek Ramaswamy, a failed Republican primary candidate, co-led the early planning with Musk.
- The goal? Find a legal way to gut the federal workforce and cut government costs.
Key Figures in Early DOGE Planning:
- Howard Lutnick: A billionaire and head of Trump’s transition team, later named Commerce Secretary.
- Brad Smith: A healthcare entrepreneur with ties to Jared Kushner.
- Stephen Miller: Trump’s senior adviser, known for hardline immigration policies, gave Musk lessons on how the executive branch operates.
- Russell Vought: Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and co-author of Project 2025, an extreme government reform plan.
Musk’s Initial Struggles:
- Lack of Government Knowledge:
- Brad Smith reportedly had to give Musk a basic lesson on how federal budgeting and appropriations work.
- Musk dismissed Smith’s warnings, accusing him of offering too much “classic consultant stuff.”
- Legal Hurdles:
- Smith advised that DOGE needed a team of lawyers to legally dismantle agencies.
- Musk reportedly wanted to ignore legal processes and act quickly.
A source familiar with the discussions described their strategy as simply “throwing spaghetti against the wall.”
Why Was Musk Named an “Advisor” Instead of DOGE’s Official Head?
Trump originally wanted DOGE to be an independent agency that advised the government on cost-cutting. However, Musk opposed this idea because:
- Independent agencies must follow public records laws, meaning their actions would be subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
- As an adviser to the president, Musk could keep many of his communications and financial records private.
- This setup allowed DOGE to take over the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) within the OMB, a government agency originally created by Barack Obama to modernize federal systems.
Musk’s Role in DOGE:
- Special Government Employee status, giving him:
- Access to sensitive government databases, including Social Security numbers and financial records.
- Exemption from FOIA laws, meaning many of his decisions are not publicly available.
- Protection from mandatory financial disclosures.
DOGE’s Extreme Cuts to the Federal Workforce
Mass Layoffs and Office Closures
- DOGE has recommended firing tens of thousands of federal workers.
- Over 6,000 U.S. military veterans have reportedly been laid off.
- Musk’s emails to federal employees demanded that they justify their jobs or risk termination.
Musk’s Goal: Reduce the federal workforce by 75%, cutting down the 2.3 million civil servants to just 600,000.
Agency Closures and Disruptions
- USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) was effectively shut down under DOGE’s orders.
- The shutdown temporarily stopped an Ebola prevention program, though Musk later claimed it was restored immediately—a claim disputed by former USAID officials.
- Entire Social Security offices in Mississippi and other states were listed as “closed”, though some still appear active.
Russell Vought, the OMB director, said he wants to make federal workers feel “miserable” and turn government jobs into a “traumatic experience.”
Musk’s Push for Secrecy vs. Transparency
While Musk has publicly stated he wants DOGE to be transparent, reports suggest he has been obsessed with secrecy and preventing leaks.
How DOGE Maintains Secrecy:
- DOGE is structured as an advisory group, shielding it from public records laws.
- FOIA requests do not apply to Musk, as he is considered a presidential adviser, not a government agency head.
- Many DOGE layoffs and cost-cutting measures have been quietly adjusted, making it harder to track what is actually happening.
Musk has reportedly warned his team that leaking information could result in termination.
The Future of DOGE: More Cuts and Legal Challenges
DOGE is expected to continue pushing extreme reductions in the federal government. However, multiple lawsuits are challenging Musk’s role, questioning whether:
- He has too much power over federal agencies.
- His access to sensitive government data is legal.
- DOGE’s decision-making process follows constitutional law.
Key Questions Moving Forward
- Will the courts limit Musk’s power over government agencies?
- Can DOGE legally continue layoffs without approval from Congress?
- How will the federal government function if the workforce is cut by 75%?
One thing is clear: DOGE is unlike anything seen before in U.S. government restructuring.
