Elon Musk may be the public face of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but the actual administrator overseeing its operations is a relatively unknown government insider with a healthcare background—Amy Gleason.
The White House has confirmed that Gleason is the acting administrator of the U.S. DOGE Service, which now houses DOGE and is responsible for modernizing government technology, overseeing cost-cutting initiatives, and implementing Musk’s efficiency agenda.
Key Facts About Amy Gleason:
- Former U.S. Digital Service official (2018–2021) under Trump’s first term.
- Has a background in healthcare technology and electronic medical records.
- Previously worked at healthcare startups focused on rural and underserved patients.
- Personally motivated by her daughter’s battle with a rare autoimmune disease.
- Rejoined the federal government in 2025, now overseeing DOGE’s implementation.
Despite her new role, her tenure and level of authority remain unclear, raising questions about the power dynamics between her and Musk.
What Is the U.S. DOGE Service?
In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order replacing the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) with the U.S. DOGE Service, giving it the mandate to implement his government efficiency agenda.
What Does the U.S. DOGE Service Do?
- Oversees DOGE’s cost-cutting initiatives across federal agencies.
- Creates “DOGE Teams” within each agency to streamline operations.
- Modernizes government technology and improves federal digital infrastructure.
- Reports directly to the White House chief of staff.
While DOGE itself is a temporary cost-cutting venture, the U.S. DOGE Service is now a permanent agency, meaning its impact could extend beyond Trump’s term.
Amy Gleason: From Nursing to Government Efficiency
While Gleason is not a household name, she has extensive experience in technology, healthcare, and government modernization.
Her Career Path:
- Started as a nurse before transitioning into healthcare technology.
- Co-founded CareSync, a company focused on electronic medical records.
- Joined the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) in 2018 to work on government tech initiatives.
- Worked at Main Street Health and Russell Street Ventures, startups focusing on rural and underserved healthcare.
- Rejoined government in 2025 to lead the U.S. DOGE Service.
Her personal connection to healthcare reform stems from her daughter’s diagnosis with Juvenile Dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease. She has been an advocate for modernizing medical records to ensure better patient care.
Gleason vs. Musk: Who Is Really in Charge?
Although Gleason is officially the acting administrator, Elon Musk remains the dominant figure in DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts.
Key Differences in Their Roles:
| Elon Musk | Amy Gleason |
|---|---|
| Public face of DOGE | Administrator of U.S. DOGE Service |
| Special government employee | Reports directly to White House chief of staff |
| Oversees cost-cutting strategies | Implements and manages those strategies |
| Announces major initiatives | Ensures execution and agency compliance |
While Musk has been the driving force behind the aggressive budget cuts, Gleason is responsible for translating the White House’s efficiency goals into actionable policies.
However, the White House has been vague about how much decision-making power she actually has.
