The White House has confirmed that Amy Gleason—a healthcare technology executive with experience in both the Trump and Biden administrations—is the acting administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
However, Elon Musk remains the public face and de facto leader of DOGE, raising questions about the division of power within the controversial cost-cutting agency.
DOGE, established by President Donald Trump, has been spearheading aggressive federal workforce reductions and budget cuts, resulting in 20,000 government employees losing their jobs so far.
Despite its major role in reshaping the federal government, uncertainty over who is officially in charge persists, fueling legal challenges and public confusion.
Who Is Amy Gleason?
Amy Gleason has a background in healthcare technology and federal digital services, making her an unexpected choice to lead DOGE, an agency focused on downsizing and cost-cutting.
Gleason’s Background
- Healthcare & Tech Experience: Worked for Allscripts and other companies specializing in electronic medical records.
- White House Coronavirus Task Force: Served on the data team guiding the government’s COVID-19 response.
- U.S. Digital Service (USDS) Member: Originally joined in 2018, left in 2021, and rejoined in January 2025.
- Personal Connection to Healthcare: Became a patient advocate after her daughter was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease.
Gleason’s role at DOGE remains unclear, as Musk continues to lead the agency’s public messaging and decision-making efforts.
Elon Musk’s Role in DOGE
Elon Musk, a senior adviser to President Trump, has been the primary face of DOGE, attending high-profile meetings, including a Cabinet session with Trump.
- Musk was brought in as a “special government employee,” a temporary role allowing experts from the private sector to serve in federal agencies.
- He frequently promotes DOGE’s efforts on social media, using his X (formerly Twitter) platform to justify federal workforce cuts.
- Legal challenges have emerged, questioning whether Musk has the legal authority to make government decisions.
The White House has struggled to clarify the division of authority between Musk and Gleason, further complicating ongoing lawsuits involving DOGE’s operations.
Confusion Over Who Truly Runs DOGE
The executive order creating DOGE states that the agency is led by an administrator reporting directly to the White House chief of staff. However, court cases and press inquiries have repeatedly failed to get a clear answer on who holds this position.
Contradictory Statements
- Monday: Justice Department lawyers admitted in court that they did not know who the DOGE administrator was.
- Tuesday: When asked at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded, “Elon Musk is overseeing DOGE.”
- Wednesday: The White House finally confirmed that Amy Gleason is the acting administrator, though Leavitt was uncertain of her exact tenure.
This lack of transparency has raised concerns among lawmakers, legal experts, and watchdog organizations about who is truly in control of the agency making drastic federal budget cuts.
Lawsuits and Legal Challenges Facing DOGE
DOGE’s controversial role in federal budget oversight has triggered multiple lawsuits, including:
- Challenges to Musk’s authority: Critics argue Musk has been unlawfully exercising government power, despite only being a special government employee.
- Treasury Department lawsuit: A judge questioned DOGE’s role after payment data was shared with the agency.
- Workforce reduction lawsuits: Legal groups are pushing back against mass federal layoffs, arguing that DOGE is cutting jobs without proper oversight.
The lack of clear leadership at DOGE could strengthen lawsuits challenging the agency’s legitimacy.
